Submarine geysers, or hydrothermal vents are found primarily at rift zones and around 'hot spots'. They occur where water from deep in the earth is super-heated via volcanic processes, and escapes at the ocean floor. The biodiversity at these vents is staggering considering the harsh environment. The foundation of which are lush microbial communities that feed off sulfides, hydrocarbons and hydrogen, which in turn provides nutrition for tubeworms, mussels, clams, barnacles, shrimps, limpets, and snails; animals commonly found at vent sites. Since 1977, when the first deep-sea vent was discovered near the Galapagos Islands, over 500 new species of animals have been discovered. ..................................................................................................................................................... #science #biology #nature #animals #luculentgif

Submarine geysers, or hydrothermal vents are found primarily at rift zones and around 'hot spots'. They occur where water from deep in the earth is super-heated via volcanic processes, and escapes at the ocean floor. The biodiversity at these vents is staggering considering the...See more