Report: Scientists Discover Hydrothermal Vents From The Bottom Of The Pacific Ocean
The researchers have discovered five previously unknown active hydrothermal vents and a completely new vent site to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The water is as hot as 370 degrees centigrade but that region is still appropriate habitable for some snails, Pompeii worms, shrimp, crabs, bacteria flourish and some small fish.
According to PHYS, Barbara John and Michael Cheadle, both from the UW professors of geology and geophysics have led the research by the two submarine voyages to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to explore the sea floor. The group has identified new hydrothermal vents, as well as two others that were last seen 23 years ago at Pito Seamount in the Pacific Ocean.
Jeff Gee from Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California-San Diego has served as the chief scientists by leading 15 persons research team from the U.S and Canada. The expedition was funded by National Science Foundation that has included four University of Wyoming students.
Journey to the Pito Deep has reported, the animals that live down there is totally in dark place. The whole animal community depends on chemosynthetic bacteria for food. The said bacteria can use hydrogen sulfide to produce organic material through a process called chemosynthesis.
The scientists have stated that from 1977 to till now about 300 such hydrothermal vents have been found on mid-ocean ridges around the world. The new vents were found at the summit of the 1-kilometer-high Pito Seamount on the East Pacific Rise. However, the researchers want to analyze their DNA to find out their origin and evolution history.
These hydrothermal vents form above fissures in the Earth's crust is roughly 2.3 kilometers or 7,500 feet below the sea surface. The emit water from hollow chimneys that provide homes for a thriving of unique creatures.
However, those hydrothermal vents are identified as "black smokers". The researchers have also collected rock samples deep below the ocean surface to create the geologic map of the gabbroic crust.
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