Answer
At oceanic ridges, hydrothermal ore deposits, known as seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits, are produced through the following process: When seawater infiltrates into the hot rocks of the oceanic crust, it gets heated and reacts with the minerals in the rocks. The hot, mineral-rich fluid rises back to the seafloor through hydrothermal vents, where it comes into contact with cold seawater. The rapid cooling of the fluid causes the precipitation of sulfide minerals, leading to the formation of ore deposits rich in metals like copper, zinc, and iron.
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