Geology and Minerals

Beebe Hydrothermal Vent Field

The Beebe Hydrothermal Vent Field (abbreviated BVF, also known as the Piccard Vent Field) is the world's deepest known hydrothermal vent site and is located just south of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean, on the north side of the Mid-Cayman Spreading Centre in the Cayman Trough. Approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) south of Beebe is the Von Damm Vent Field. At nearly 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) below sea level, it is one of the few known hydrothermal vent sites in the abyssopelagic zone. The hydrothermal plume nicknamed "Piccard" was detected in 2010, and the Beebe site was confirmed later that year. The combined depth and vent fluid temperature make it a popular site for studying aqueous thermodynamics, high-pressure biology, and geochemistry.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Kasatochi Island
• ▸1967 USS Forrestal fire
• ▸Dike (geology)

Uncatalogued shelf

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