Northwest scientists unlock new insights into deep-sea thermal vents, fusion, sneaky waves and...

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are some of the most unforgiving environments on the planet. Superheated fluid leaves the Earth’s crust and mixes with the near-freezing seawater. Yet there’s growing evidence these volcanic outflows are where life on Earth originated.

Researchers at Portland State University have discovered an astounding array of microbial life thriving at different hydrothermal vent sites around the world. Using genomic analysis, they identified 3,635 different bacteria and archaea. Of that group, at least 500 had never been noted before, and they found evidence of two totally new phyla (a really broad category of life).

In addition, their work showed that these microbes depend on each other for survival — like little underwater communes.