[WHOI] The site of the world’s first discovered hydrothermal vents, explored in 1977 by scientists aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) human-occupied submersible Alvin, has been named one of the world’s most significant geological heritage sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
Editor’s note: when we begin to robotically explore the ice-covered oceans of Enceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Mimas etc. we’ll need to make the most of the visits. Learning how to best operate robotics systems in a deep ocean environment searching for unknown and unexpected life forms is something we can perfect – now – on Earth. We’ll need ways for our robotic submersibles to observe and interact with whatever life forms they may encounter. We’re going to our droids to be as smart and self-reliant as possible. How we study our own living water world is the perfect place to plan for future, offworld missions when it comes to detecting and characterizing life on the planet below. Of special importance to astrobiology expeditions are the plans being formulated for the exploration of icy ocean worlds in our own star system such as Enceladus, Europa, Ganymede and beyond – and the necessary role that autonomous submersibles will play. The folks at WHOI lead the way in developing new ways to reach remote regions of our water world.
IUGS Geological Heritage Sites are chosen for their outstanding scientific value as exceptional examples of geological features, processes, and discoveries. They represent some of the world’s most significant places for understanding the Earth and its history. Located across the globe, they offer a surprising journey through the most important geological sites on Earth.
Eastern Galapagos Rift, Equatorial Pacific Ocean with (inset) detailed geological map showing the locations of the first submarine hydrothermal vents to be discovered, worldwide. — WHOI
The recognition comes just months before the 50th anniversary of the Galapagos vents discovery in February 1977, which transformed scientists’ understanding of life in the deep ocean and opened new avenues for research into the origins of life and the possibility of life beyond Earth.
Scientists, including those from WHOI, discovered the Galápagos vents during an expedition to investigate the East Galápagos Rift, where tectonic plates pull apart and new ocean crust forms. Researchers had gathered clues of hydrothermal activity during earlier expeditions, including unusual temperature readings and evidence of distinctive seafloor geology. The team used ANGUS, the same deep-towed camera system that helped locate the Titanic, to photograph the seafloor and identify promising locations for closer investigation.
The images revealed shimmering water rising from the seafloor. Subsequent dives in the human-occupied submersible Alvin confirmed the presence of active hydrothermal vents and revealed an unexpected abundance of life, far from the sun’s reach.
ALVIN — WHOI
WHOI marine geoscientist Chris German championed the site’s inclusion, working with colleagues from the field of hydrothermal vent biology to develop the imagery and scientific text to supporting the nomination. The Galápagos vents were also the first marine geological site introduced during the recent announcement at the IUGS Geological Heritage Sites program in Portugal.
“The Galápagos vents represent a turning point in ocean science. Before their discovery, scientists had no idea that entire ecosystems could thrive on the seafloor without sunlight, relying instead on energy from chemical reactions,” German explained. “That discovery changed how we think about where life can exist on Earth, and it continues to influence how we search for life elsewhere in our solar system.”
Giant tube worms at the Galapagos vents, and a sample of a giant clam. (Courtesy of the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI))
German’s research at WHOI explores the connections between deep-sea hydrothermal systems and the search for life on ocean worlds, including Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Both are thought to harbor oceans beneath their icy surfaces. Scientists are investigating whether conditions similar to those found around Earth’s hydrothermal vents could support life in these distant environments.
The possibility that life could exist without sunlight, using chemical energy instead, has fundamentally broadened the search for habitable environments beyond Earth.
“The discovery of hydrothermal vents gave us an entirely new way to think about the conditions needed for life. Now, as we explore ocean worlds elsewhere in our solar system, we are asking whether similar geological and chemical processes could support life beneath their icy surfaces,” said German.
The selection of the IUGS Third 100 Geological Heritage Sites builds on the success and global impact of the First 100, announced in Zumaia, Spain, in 2022, and the Second 100, announced during the 37th International Geological Congress (IGC 2024) in Busan, Republic of Korea. Since 2022, more than 1,000 experts from 90 countries and 20 international organisations have contributed to this program by proposing sites, participating in the selection process and evaluating their scientific quality. With 74 active national members, IUGS is one of the World´s largest scientific organizations. It encourages international cooperation and participation in the Earth sciences in relation to human welfare.
The complete list of the Third 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites is available at iugs-geoheritage.org.
About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930, its primary mission is to understand the ocean and its interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate an understanding of the ocean’s role in the changing global environment. WHOI’s pioneering discoveries stem from an ideal combination of science and engineering—one that has made it one of the most trusted and technically advanced leaders in basic and applied ocean research and exploration anywhere. WHOI is known for its multidisciplinary approach, superior ship operations, and unparalleled deep-sea robotics capabilities. We play a leading role in ocean observation and operate the most extensive suite of data-gathering platforms in the world. Top scientists, engineers, and students collaborate on more than 800 concurrent projects worldwide—both above and below the waves—pushing the boundaries of knowledge and possibility. For more information, please visit www.whoi.edu
Astrobiology, Oceanography,
