Scientists have found large animals like tube worms and sea snails living beneath the seabed, deep within hydrothermal vents.
This discovery surprised researchers, who previously believed only tiny microbes could survive in such extreme, dark environments. The study suggests that life under the ocean floor may be more widespread and diverse than expected.
Hydrothermal vents act like underwater hot springs, forming when seawater seeps through cracks in the seabed, gets heated by magma, and returns to the surface. These vents create mineral-rich structures, often found near tectonic plates where the Earth’s crust shifts and moves.
The study was led by researchers from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, who explored depths of 2,500 meters using a robotic vehicle. By examining rock samples, the team discovered adult tube worms, polychaete worms, and snails living on nutrients formed when seawater mixes with magma.
Scientists say only 26% of the Earth’s seabed has been explored, meaning many more species could still be undiscovered. Marine biologist Sabine Gollner explained that this discovery shows life beneath the surface is more complex than once thought.
However, the researchers are also concerned about the potential impact of deep-sea mining. Companies are eager to extract valuable minerals such as cobalt and nickel, used in products like smartphone batteries and electric cars. Conservationists warn that mining could harm these fragile ecosystems, which are just beginning to be understood.
