Massive Undersea Hydrothermal Field Discovered off Greece
Scientists have discovered a surprisingly large hydrothermal vent field near Milos, Greece, revealing Earth's dynamic interior through boiling fluids and vibrant microbial life. The discovery, made public on December 30, 2025, highlights the role of seafloor fault lines in releasing hot, gas-rich fluids, making Milos a key site for studying underwater geological activity and its potential impact on marine ecosystems, according to MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen.
The extensive underwater vent system was found hidden along active fault lines beneath the seafloor near Milos. These geological fractures act as pathways for hot, gas-rich fluids to escape, forming clusters of vents with striking visual diversity, according to researchers.
The discovery surprised researchers, who observed boiling fluids and vibrant microbial mats during deep-sea dives. Sampling fluids of 180 degrees was observed. Milos now stands out as one of the Mediterraneans most important sites for studying Earths dynamic interior, according to MARUM.
The findings were detailed in Scientific Reports.
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