Crab Trail Unveils Hidden Hydrothermal Vent in Galápagos Islands
Scientists have discovered a new hydrothermal vent in the Galápagos Islands with the help of crabs. Following a chemical anomaly, researchers used a remotely operated vehicle to analyze the sea floor and found a dense population of squat lobsters, which led them to the vent. The vent, located between the Cocos and Nazca tectonic plates, spans an area of 98,800 square feet and is home to crabs, tube worms, clams, and mussels. Hydrothermal vents are cracks in the sea floor that release heated water from the Earth's magma chambers, creating a hostile environment where only certain species can survive.
