Lecture 4 Notes - The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Geothermal Energy, and Maritime Silk Road

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, geothermal energy in Iceland, and the Maritime Silk Road.

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

A mid-ocean ridge in the Atlantic where seafloor spreading creates new ocean crust and hosts hydrothermal systems.

Lost City Hydrothermal Field

A hydrothermal vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge known for carbonate chimneys and unique deep-sea ecosystems.

Hydrothermal Vents

Undersea vents that release heated, mineral-rich fluids supporting specialized deep-sea life.

Iceland Geothermal Energy

A large portion of Iceland’s energy comes from geothermal sources; approximately 70% of primary energy and a substantial share of electricity from renewables.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Sea zones up to 200 nautical miles from a coast where a state has rights to explore and exploit marine resources.

Clarion Clipperton Zone

A vast area in the central Pacific known for polymetallic nodules and potential deep-sea mining.

Polymetallic nodules

Seafloor nodules rich in metals (e.g., manganese, nickel, copper) targeted for deep-sea mining.

Cobalt-rich crusts

Seafloor mineral crusts rich in cobalt, considered a potential underwater mining resource.

Polymetallic sulphides/vents

Metal-rich deposits around hydrothermal vents containing copper, zinc, and other metals.

Solwara 1

A Pacific Ocean seabed mining project targeting polymetallic nodules.

DISCOL

Pacific Ocean site used for deep-sea mining disturbance experiments to study ecological impacts.

Maritime Silk Road

Historic network of sea routes linking China, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe since the 2nd century for trade in silk, spices, porcelain, and more.

Monsoon

Seasonal, predictable reversal of winds in the Indian Ocean region that aided maritime travel along the Silk Road.

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Tropical belt where trade winds converge, shifting seasonally and influencing monsoon patterns.

Compass using lodestone

Magnetic navigation tool developed in China (2nd century BC–1st century AD); uses a magnetized lodestone.

Paper

Invention of paper in Eastern Han Dynasty (105 AD); later spread to Korea and Japan, transforming writing and communication.

Phoenicians – Masters of the Sea

Ancient seafaring traders from Lebanon who built a vast Mediterranean network and traded widely, including luxury goods like Tyrian purple.

Tyrian purple

Royal purple dye produced from sea snail mucus; a luxury good symbolizing power and wealth.

Blue-and-white ceramics

Popular porcelain decorated with blue pigment, influenced by Persian cobalt and Chinese production; widely traded along the Silk Road.

Silk Road – Overland and Maritime routes

Trade networks linking East and West via land and sea; enabled exchange of silk, spices, porcelain, and ideas, aided by monsoon winds.

Port Cities

Coastal urban hubs that grew with maritime trade; centers for shipbuilding, banking, warehousing, and related services.

Sea Salt

Sea salt was essential for preservation and daily life; its trade generated wealth for regions with abundant resources.

Dried, salted, or fermented fish

Preserved fish products crucial for long-distance transport and protein supply in inland areas, with some luxury varieties.

Pearls

Pearls signified wealth and power; produced by oysters; sources included the Persian Gulf, Indian coasts, and Sri Lanka.