Hydrothermal processes on Earth have played an important role in the evolution of our planet. These processes link the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere in continuously evolving dynamic systems. Terrestrial hydrothermal processes have been active since water condensed to form the hydrosphere, most probably from about 4.4 Ga. The circulation of hot aqueous solutions, or hydrothermalsystems, at and below the Earth’s surface, is driven by magmatic heat. Hydrothermal systems form beneath the oceans (e. g. spreading centres, oceanic plateaux), in lakes, intracontinental rifts, continental margins and magmatic arcs.Hydrothermal fluids can be juvenile-magmatic or derived from seawater, metamorphic, meteoric, connate waters or a mix of two or more of these. The interaction of hydrothermal fluids with wallrocks and/or the hydrosphere and changes in their composition through time and space, contribute to the formation of a wide range of mineral deposit types and associated wallrock alteration. Primitive life in terrestrial hydrothermal systems Analogues of terrestrial hydrothermal systems on other planets Role of meteorite impacts on inception of hydrothermal systems and life Up-to-date information on hydrothermal systems and processes Search for life on extraterrestrial planetary bodies INDICE: From the contents 1. Water on Earth.- 2. Hydrothermal processes.- 3. Hydrothermal mineral deposits.- 4. Hydrothermal systems and the biosphere.-5. Hydrothermal processes and planetary evolution.- 6. Are, or were, hydrothermal processes present on other planets? Clues for the search for life on other planets and satellites.- Epilogue.
- ISBN: 978-1-4020-8612-0
- Editorial: Springer
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 700
- Fecha Publicación: 01/09/2008
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés