Experimental Studies of Hydrothermal Plume Dynamics

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This project will conduct laboratory experiments on the dynamics of hydrothermal plumes. The focus will be on the meso-scale flow, where rotation and geostrophic adjustment are important. The first experiment will examine the effects of rotation on the rise height of plumes. The second will study the effects of ambient flows on plume vortex generation. The third will examine the effects of rotation on the dynamics in instantaneous releases of finite volumes of buoyant fluid to simulate megaplume formation. The overall goal is to improve knowledge of the dynamics of hydrothermal venting and to help in the interpretation and understanding of observations of the local vent field ecology, chemical and heat fluxes, as well as deep ocean circulation.