Scientists unveil life under seafloor: Tubeworms, weird creatures
In this photo provided by Schmidt Ocean Institute, an eelpout swims by a tower of tubeworms at the Tica Vent, a site on the East Pacific Rise 2,500 meters deep. (Schmidt Ocean Institute via AP)
NEW YORK — Scientists for the first time have uncovered an underworld of animal life thriving beneath the seafloor.
An expedition to a volcanically active ridge in the Pacific off South America has revealed worms, snails, giant tubeworms and other strange creatures lurking below steamy underwater hot springs.
READ MORE:
PH marine scientists offer another kind of ‘diplomacy’ in WPS row
Pamilacan Island’s rich marine life threatened by illegal fishing
Freediving instructor: How to appreciate Cebu’s rich marine life
Researchers have long studied animal communities near such hydrothermal vents. Many thought only microbes and viruses could survive underneath. To their surprise, an underwater robot last summer overturned volcanic slabs and found diverse life under the vents.
“This was totally unexpected,” said study co-author Sabine Gollner with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research.
Young critters from above the seafloor could be traveling through the vents to settle in the depths, Gollner said.
The research published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.
READ MORE: PH gears up for 2025 UN ocean meet; recommits to SGD 14
Future studies will help reveal whether colonies of animal life exist below other hydrothermal vents around the globe.
“This is an initial discovery that’s really promising,” said Jason Sylvan, a microbiologist at Texas A&M University who was not involved with the research.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
