Map of Mid-Atlantic Ridge and North Pond (IMAGE) Marine Biological Laboratory Caption The oceanic crust at North Pond is relatively young (8 million years old) and its circulating fluids are cold (<20 degrees C). By comparison, the temperature of crustal fluids can reach 400 degrees C at hydrothermal vents in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates are diverging and new oceanic crust is being formed. Credit MBL Usage Restrictions Please use with credit. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.