Off the western shores of Central and South America lies a realm beneath the ocean that resembles a scene out of Lovecraft’s imagination, with lava-licked landscapes and hydrothermal vents. These vents, powered by volcanic activity, expel jets of water reaching temperatures as high as 700 degrees Fahrenheit. While scientists have long known that these vents harbor a diverse array of life on their surfaces, they had never before discovered animals dwelling beneath these extreme geysers.
However, in July, a diving robot overturned volcanic bedrock teeming with hydrothermal vents, exposing a hidden world of animal life. One of the most remarkable findings was the abundance of tubeworms, peculiar creatures that bear resemblance to sentient spaghetti.
“This is the first time that animal life was found below the surface of hydrothermal vents,” remarked Monika Bright, an ecologist from the University of Vienna and the lead scientist on the expedition.
Until now, it was only known that microbial life existed within these hollows. The idea that animals could survive within these volcanic chambers, bathed in darkness and subjected to extreme conditions, is truly astonishing. Dr. Bright explained, “The deeper you go, the warmer it gets, the less oxygen there is, and the more toxic chemicals are present. It’s very shallow, but it’s still below the Earth’s crust.”
While some experts were surprised by this discovery, others found it to be expected. Julie Huber, a marine geochemist and microbiologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, commented, “I think it makes perfect sense. The shallow subseafloor, where temperatures are likely cool enough for animals to survive, is what I think of as a ‘subseafloor conveyor belt’ for microbes, nutrients, and now, animals.”
The mysteries surrounding these unique habitats are numerous. Yet, like many deep-sea revelations, this discovery pushes the boundaries of what scientists consider possible for life on Earth.
Hydrothermal vents, originally discovered off the Galápagos Islands, are surreal structures resembling chimneys and chasms that often grow near midoceanic ridges. These ridges are vast volcanic rifts formed by the separation of two tectonic plates. Deep within these ridges, the intense heat from magma heats up seawater, creating superheated, mineral-rich plumes that are discharged back into the ocean.
Despite their extreme nature, these vents house a diverse community of bizarre marine creatures. Tubeworms are particularly common inhabitants, starting their lives as free-swimming larvae and eventually evolving into immobile adults that grow several feet in length. They rely on sulfur-eating bacteria living within their guts for sustenance.
Dr. Bright had a hunch that these peculiar organisms could also exist beneath the vents. To investigate further and gain insights into the interconnectedness between life above and below the vents, Dr. Bright led a research team aboard the Falkor (too), a research ship operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. They embarked on an expedition to an eruption-prone region of the East Pacific Rise, a seafloor rift parallel to South America.
Using the SuBastian, a remotely operated vehicle equipped with arm-like appendages capable of drilling, scooping, and sawing, the researchers approached the frothing vents. They gently lifted volcanic rocks and peered inside, unveiling a network of glassy rock cavities known as hollows. These tunnels harbored flowing water at a surprisingly mild temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and were home to various organisms, including numerous tubeworms.
“They were just growing in there, living in there,” exclaimed Dr. Bright. Other creatures like snails and slithering worms were also spotted.
This discovery raises new questions about deep-sea ecosystems. Are there connections between the types of animal life and microbes found within these hollows? Dr. Huber wonders if there might be life stages, such as larvae, more commonly found in the subseafloor.
For some, this breakthrough sparks dreams of extraterrestrial life. Dr. Huber muses, “I always think about ocean worlds when I am studying vents.” She speculates that Enceladus, a moon of Saturn covered in ice, could potentially harbor hydrothermal vents and provide a habitat for life.
However, Dr. Bright remains focused on the mysteries of our own planet. “I’m not thinking of other planets and moons,” she affirms. “I’m thinking that there’s so much mystery to be discovered in our Earth. I feel like I know this place. I’ve studied this place for 30 years. And still, you can find something unexpected.”
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