Instructor: Dr. Richard Lutz and Dr. Michael Kennish
e-mail: ;

Description: This course provides detailed coverage of deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities and environments. The instructors explore these unique systems via classroom lectures, videos of recent cruises to active hydrothermal vent sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and East Pacific Rise, seminars on recently published literature, and examination of a recently released IMAX film on the subject. Guest lectures by acknowledged experts in the field are also given. Focus is on the composition and dynamics of hydrothermal vent communities, as well as geology of seafloor spreading centers. Class meets on Wednesday (Period 5) from 3:55-5:15.

Prerequisites: General Biology II (01:119:102) and Calculus I.

Required Readings:
Text: Cindy Lee Van Dover. 2000. The Ecology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 424 p.
Weekly Supplementary Readings: Scientific Journal Articles on the Biology and Geology of Hydrothermal Vents

Weekly Schedule

Week 1: History of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Research.

Weeks 2 and 3:

Vent Biotic Community Structure and Dynamics
East Pacific Rise (9°N, 13 °N, 21°N)
Juan de Fuca Ridge
Galapagos Rift
Western Pacific
Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Week 4: Reproductive Ecology and Biogeography

Week 5: Symbiosis and Trophic Ecology

Week 6: Geology of Hydrothermal Vent Systems

Week 7: Origin and Structure of Seafloor Spreading Centers

Week 8: Mid-Term Exam

Week 9: Types of Spreading Centers and Vents

East Pacific Rise
Juan de Fuca Ridge
Galapagos Rift
Western Pacific
Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Week 10: Volcanism and Seafloor Spreading Dynamics

Week 11: Hydrothermal Vent Mineralization

Weeks 12-14: Student Presentations

Week 15: Review

Week 16: Term Paper and Final Exam