All articles tagged with #hydrothermal vent
British researchers have discovered Hook Ridge, a cold, irregular hydrothermal vent off Antarctica that emits a low-temperature plume rather than the hot fluids typical of vents, and shows no current life due to its irregular activity; a relict mineral chimney reveals past hydrothermal activity and warmth. The finding suggests unusual vents can still influence deep-sea biology and may act as stepping stones for genetic material across the oceans.
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.
This week in science news, researchers discovered four supervolcano "megabeds" in the Mediterranean Sea, Iceland braces for an imminent volcanic eruption, NASA and JAXA plan to launch the world's first wooden satellite, and scientists uncover new findings about the spinning black hole at the center of our galaxy and the disruptive effects of a powerful gamma-ray burst. Additionally, scientists discovered a new hydrothermal vent in the Galápagos, learned about the migration patterns of crabs, and found that elephants communicate using low-pitched rumbles. Other news includes outbreaks of Salmonella linked to pets, the development of "bionic breasts" for breast cancer survivors, and advancements in CRISPR gene editing. Archaeologists also made discoveries related to ancient temples and Stone Age hunting techniques, while colorful metal spherules found in the Pacific Ocean were determined to be the byproduct of burning coal on Earth.