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Red Tides
Red Tide is the common name for a type of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) which is caused by a marine algae called Karenis Brevis. Red Tides occur when these algae grow quickly and cause a bloom that can make the ocean appear red or brown. Red tides pose serious threats to aquatic ecosystems, suffocating plants and other organisms by their accumulated biomass. Harmful Algal Blooms, such Karenis brevis, also produce potent neurotoxins capable of killing fish, birds, manatees, and other creatures. Contaminated seafood can cause serious health problems in humans as well.
Red tide is not a new phenomenon. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, "Karenis brevis was identified in 1947 but anecdotal reports of the effects of red tide in the Gulf of Mexico date back to the 1530s."
Hydrothermal Vents
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hydrothermal vents are areas where hot fluids rise from the Earth and mix with cold seawater. These vents are rich in minerals and sometimes give off a chimney-like appearance as they ascend from the ocean floor. Temperatures within these vents are reported to reach as high as 750°F.
Hydrothermal systems support a wide array of creatures including giant clams, tubeworms and microorganisms.
Hydrothermal vents are related to underwater volcanic activity and can be found along the Mid-Ocean Ridge system, which winds its way around the continents. Unlike volcanoes, which release lava, hydrothermal vents primarily discharge water.
Goblin Shark
According to Japanese fishermen, the Goblin Shark is named after tengu, a class of supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. Both the Tengu and Goblin Shark are characterized by a long, flat nose or snout. Due to the scarcity of Goblin Sharks relatively little is known about the species. Less than 50 Goblin sharks have been found on Earth, as indicated by ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research. Most specimens are found dead or die within hours of being caught.
Goblin Sharks are bottom-dwelling animals that can survive in waters up to 4,256 feet deep. They occur throughout the globe but most are caught near Portugal, Japan and New Zealand.
A Goblin Shark can rapidly project its jaws to aid in the capture of prey. This unique physical feature also adds to the shark's bizarre appearance.
Mariana Trench
The Mariana Trench is believed to be the deepest depression on Earth, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Descending 36,201 feet into the seafloor, The Mariana Trench is deep enough to stack nearly 25 Sears Towers end to end. Located in the Pacific Ocean near Japan, The Mariana Trench is 1,554 miles long and 44 miles wide. A unique geographic feature of the trench is the molten Sulfur Cauldron. This is where scientists have discovered Earth's single source of molten sulfur. The only other known location of liquid sulfur is on Io, one of Jupiter's moons.
Chemosynthesis
Deep below the ocean's surface and in the absence of sunlight, tiny organisms create energy through a unique process known as Chemosynthesis. Unlike photosynthesis, where plants derive energy from the sun, Chemosynthesis is a process by which microbes create energy through chemical reactions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that bacteria and other microscopic organisms convert harsh ocean chemicals into food and energy. These chemicals are primarily found within the nutrient rich waters released by hydrothermal vents. Chemosynthesis permits life to exist in places previously thought to be uninhabitable, such as remote areas along the deep-ocean floor.
Saltiest Sea
The Dead Sea holds the Earth's saltiest natural water according to the National Weather Service. Located on the border between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is actually a large lake. This body of water is roughly nine times saltier than ocean water. Its name hints at the lack of any major form of life. Only bacteria and other microorganisms can survive in such a high saline environment.
Water from the Jordan River feeds into the Dead Sea, but it does not flow out. It can only escape through evaporation, leaving behind salt and other minerals. This increases the water's density and makes objects more buoyant. You float!
The Dead Sea's surface is at the lowest point below sea level on earth –at around 1300 feet.
Ring of Fire
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Ring of Fire is a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that partly encircles the basin of the Pacific Ocean. Shaped like a horseshoe, this area stretches from New Zealand, along the eastern edge of Asia, north across the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, and south along the west coast of North and South America. Referred to as the circum-Pacific belt or the circum-Pacific seismic belt, the Ring of Fire is home to over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes. This area of intense geologic activity is the result of Earth's shifting tectonic plates.
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