Animal Life Discovered Thriving Below the Seafloor

  

📸: Schmidt Ocean Institute

The hydrothermal vent area on the East Pacific Rise is located at depths that are impossible for people to access, because it is located 2,515 meters below the surface of the ocean. However, this region of the seafloor that is characterized by volcanic activity is dotted with holes which allow heat and minerals to penetrate. That establishes a chemosynthetic foundation upon which underwater food chains can flourish. A recent discovery shows that there is a hydrothermal ecology that is considerably more intricate than we previously knew about.

"[the] cavities were described by geologists previously but they have not seen animals and us biologists did not know that the cavities are there but once we tried to collect the rocks so we can search for tubeworm larvae on the surface we broke into the cavities and discovered the animals," explained Monika Bright, a marine biologist at the University of Vienna.

There is a high degree of similarity between the conditions that exist in some of the holes and the ones that exist surrounding the vents on the surface of the seafloor. Following the occurrence of a volcanic eruption, this may imply that the cavity habitats are the origin of the colonization of the seafloor vents. Additionally, some of the same species were discovered on the surface as well as in a lava fracture, which suggests that there is a link between the seafloor and the holes that are located below.

You can watch an extraordinary video highlighting the researchers' work, below:



At this time, neither the frequency nor the extent of these cavities are known to be widespread. The researchers claim that the discovery reveals that we need to be doing more to both study and protect the species that live far beneath the seas from industrial processes such as deep-sea mining. Bright and her colleagues carried out a mission that was very similar to this one on the research vessel Falkor. They used the remotely controlled vehicle SuB-astian to investigate the life that was congregating near the vents of the East Pacific Rise, collecting samples and doing surveys.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Echo of Yesterday: Why the '90s and Early 2000s Still Resonate

The turn of the millennium, a period spanning the vibrant '90s and the nascent early 2000s, holds a peculiar and potent grip on our collective consciousness. It’s a time that, for many, evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia, a warm, fuzzy feeling that transcends mere remembrance and borders on active yearning. But what is it about these two decades that makes them so uniquely appealing, so consistently revisited in our culture, fashion, and entertainment?  The answer lies in a confluence of factors, from technological innocence to a distinctive cultural identity, all culminating in an era that feels both comfortingly familiar and distinctly past. One of the most significant drivers of this nostalgia is the unique technological landscape of the time. The '90s were a bridge between the analog and digital worlds, a period where the internet was emerging but hadn't yet become ubiquitous or all-consuming. Dial-up tones, limited online interactions, and the novelty of email creat...
Read more

Beyond the Binge: TV Series That Will Change How You See the World

Image
Tired of the same old, predictable plots? The world of television is evolving, and a new wave of series is emerging that delves into profound themes, challenging our perceptions and leaving a lasting impact long after the credits roll. These aren't just shows you watch—they're experiences that will inspire and provoke thought. Here's a look at some new and upcoming shows that are pushing the boundaries of storytelling: The Narrow Road to the Deep North:  This gripping drama, starring Jacob Elordi, offers a fiercely intelligent and difficult look at the inhumanity of war. It's an intense and thought-provoking watch that moves beyond simple historical narrative to explore the deeper human cost of conflict. Common Side Effects:  For those who appreciate a blend of expressive animation and heady concepts, this series is a must-see. It tackles mature emotional themes with a zany sense of humor, creating a highly specific and relatable look at family dynamics. The Savant:  De...
Read more

Ditch the Lab Coats, Bring on the Bots: AI is Supercharging Drug Discovery!

Image
Hold onto your beakers, folks, because the world of drug discovery is getting a major upgrade, and it’s not just about tiny test tubes and endless experiments anymore. We're talking about a revolution, a paradigm shift, a seriously cool alliance between brilliant scientists and even more brilliant artificial intelligence. Forget the slow, painstaking grind of finding new medicines; AI is here to put drug discovery into hyperspeed, and it’s pretty darn exciting. For decades, the journey from a promising idea to a life-saving pill has been a marathon. Scientists would spend countless hours, often years, sifting through mountains of data, synthesizing countless molecules, and testing them one by one. It’s a process fraught with dead ends, unexpected failures, and the kind of meticulous work that would make even the most patient person sigh. But what if you could have a tireless, super-smart assistant that could explore possibilities far beyond human intuition, at speeds that would mak...
Read more