Scientists have discovered a vast hydrothermal vent field near the Greek island of Milos, revealing a dynamic underwater landscape teeming with geological activity. The discovery, detailed in a recent study published in Scientific Reports, occurred during the METEOR expedition M192, led by researchers from MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen.

The vent system, located along active fault lines beneath the seafloor, surprised researchers with its scale and visual diversity. These fractures act as conduits, allowing hot, gas-rich fluids to escape from the Earth's interior. Deep-sea dives revealed boiling fluids and vibrant microbial mats flourishing around the vents. "Milos now stands out as one of the Mediterranean's most important sites for studying Earth's dynamic interior," stated a MARUM press release.

Hydrothermal vents are essentially underwater hot springs, formed where seawater seeps into the Earth's crust, is heated by magma or hot rocks, and then expelled back into the ocean. The fluids released are rich in dissolved minerals and chemicals, creating unique ecosystems that thrive in the absence of sunlight. These ecosystems are supported by chemosynthesis, a process where microbes use chemicals, rather than sunlight, to produce energy.

The discovery highlights the ongoing exploration of Earth's oceans and the potential for uncovering new geological features and biological communities. The Milos vent field offers a valuable opportunity to study the interaction between geological processes and marine life. The fluids sampled at the "White Sealhound" structure reached temperatures of 180 degrees Celsius.

The research team plans to continue studying the Milos vent field to better understand its geological origins, the composition of the fluids, and the unique adaptations of the organisms that inhabit this extreme environment. The findings could also provide insights into the formation of mineral deposits and the role of hydrothermal vents in regulating ocean chemistry.