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Science History
Discovery of Deep-Sea Vent Ecosystems
The 1977 discovery of hydrothermal vent communities in the Galapagos Rift - the first known ecosystem powered by chemosynthesis rather than sunlight.
Era: Contemporary Region: Global Year: 1977
📖 Overview
In February 1977, the deep-sea submersible Alvin discovered thriving communities of giant tube worms, clams, and specialised fish around hydrothermal vents 2,500m deep. It was the first confirmed ecosystem operating on chemosynthesis - fundamentally reshaping biology and even shaping astrobiology thinking about life on other worlds.