Black Smokers Pipe Type

“Black smokers” pipe-type deposits are formed on the tectonically and volcanically active
modern ocean floor by superheated hydrothermal water ejected from below the crust. The
water with high concentrations of dissolved metal sulfides (Cu, Zn, Pb) from the crust
precipitates to form black chimney-like massive sulfide ore deposits around each vent
and fissure when it comes in contact with cold ocean water over time. The formation of
black smokers by sulfurous plumes is synonymous with VMS or VHMS deposits of Kidd
Creak, Canada, formed 2400 million years ago on ancient seafloor.