Hydrothermal vents: Explore a bizarre deep ocean habitat

As the Monterey Bay Aquarium prepares for the launch of the 2022 exhibit, "Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean," MBARI deep-sea biologist Shannon Johnson shares some of her favorite stories about hydrothermal vents and the life that thrives at these magnificent deep-sea habitats. Towering chimneys spew hot, mineral-laden water out of the deep seafloor. The astonishing communities that live on and around the vents have evolved to not only withstand but flourish in the extreme temperature and chemical conditions.

Colonies of giant tubeworms, Riftia pachyptila, have a symbiotic relationship with chemosynthetic microbes that convert methane and sulfides from the water into energy for the worms. Bizzare-looking zoarcid vent fish, Thermarces cerberus, live among the tubeworms, feeding on parasites off their tubes. Small Pompeii worms, Alvinella pompejana—the most heat-tolerant animals on the planet—extract minerals out of the scalding vent fluid.

Our ocean is the largest home for life on Earth. For more than three decades, MBARI researchers have been exploring the deep ocean with remotely operated vehicles, discovering fascinating ways that creatures have evolved to live in these harsh environments. Now, with more companies looking to extract resources from unique areas like hydrothermal vents, it is more important than ever to study the deep sea and the wonders it holds. There is much to learn in order to manage ocean resources wisely. If we are not careful, there is much to lose before we even know what may be lost.

Monterey Bay Aquarium video production team: Christy Chamberlain, Presley Adamson
Editor: Lou Laprocido
MBARI video production team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Heidi Cullen

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[ferds]

Forget space, the ocean is where all the mysteries and cool stuff is at.

[Bugside]

What usually lacks in underwater footage is a sense of scale, am I looking at giant worms 3 meters long, or spaghetti size, you know?

[MrGS]

This format allows information to be palatable to those having a shorter attention span or time restrictive schedules. I’ve learned a lot. Thank you.

[Dantalliumsolarium]

I wonder what its like for these creatures to suddenly experience light when these research crafts come in. Thank you so much for sharing this, my heart is just in awe

[proffesserm]

I love it when they give the species name..it really helps so I can illustrate the species later ..👌❤️🙏

[braedynhoward]

This and the deep sea coral reefs show that the deep ocean isn't just wasteland. THERE"S SO MUCH MORE TO EXPLORE!

[TzadikTheManic]

As always a truly wondrous delight of a video ~ as informative as it is enriching for the soul, and thoughtfully created! Everyone on the team seems so nice, you are such a likable bunch :) Also, I appreciate your content even more than I can express as it’s a true “coping mechanism” for me - I have debilitating depression/anxiety/ocd that is considered “treatment-resistant” & your passion for the ocean gives me a brief period of distraction/joy, where I can swim though ephemeral - away from my hell. Thank you!!!

[scottydu]

Nothing sounds as pleasant to my ears than when people say “spee-sees” instead of “spee-shees”

[courtney]

I love that I live so close to the aquarium, its by being next to living history.

[flowdane]

0:52 it's like water flowing underwater

[VenomousMe]

incredibly beautiful- puts us in our place. we came from the ocean -and we know nothing about our birth place. thank you

[elguapo]

I love all these videos MBARI should be shown in elementary schools imo

[WildBillCox]

All the secrets of the origins-and survival-of life on Earth are here. Forget panspermia and cold chemistry. Here's where it all starts!

[Handyginger]

The fact that the guy who found the titanic also discovered these vents is amazing!

[rei]

Fuzzy wuzzy stuffed animals? They look like nightmare creatures from the depths of hell.

[Phoenix]

Sometimes I imagine what the overall ecology of the deep ocean would be like if the hydrothermal vent bacteria produced oxygen from their chemosynthesis. Life on the ocean floor would certainly be much livelier than it is now!

[Malkovith]

Please keep doing what you're doing

[kanagasenthilraja]

She is very lucky to see such places. Keep Going.

[mushroomstewOvO]

this is not the "vent" I meant.

[mylet]

I wonder how many planets we think life isn't there but is