hydrotermalismi

Hydrothermalism is a geological theory that suggests the Earth's crust is heated by the decay of radioactive elements within the Earth's interior. This heat is then transported to the surface through hydrothermal convection, a process where hot water circulates through the crust, carrying heat and minerals with it. The theory was proposed by the French geologist Henri Becquerel in the late 19th century and was further developed by the American geologist Harry Hammond Hess in the 1930s.

Hydrothermalism is often contrasted with the theory of continental drift, which suggests that the Earth's crust is broken into several plates that move relative to one another. While hydrothermalism focuses on the heat and mineral transport within the crust, continental drift explains the movement of the crust itself.

The theory of hydrothermalism has been largely superseded by the theory of plate tectonics, which combines elements of both hydrothermalism and continental drift. Plate tectonics suggests that the Earth's crust is divided into several plates that move relative to one another, and that the movement of these plates is driven by the convection of hot material within the Earth's mantle.

Despite its replacement by plate tectonics, hydrothermalism remains an important concept in geology, as it helps explain the distribution of heat and minerals within the Earth's crust. It also plays a role in the formation of hydrothermal vents, which are found on the ocean floor and are important habitats for unique forms of life.