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News Release 12-147

Scientists Define New Limits of Microbial Life in Undersea Volcanoes

A third of Earth's organisms live in rocks and sediments, but their lives have been a mystery

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Photo of a hydrothermal vent field seen through the porthole of the submersible Alvin.

Hydrothermal vent field at Axial Volcano seen through the porthole of the submersible Alvin.

Credit: Mark Spear/WHOI


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Photo of a hydrothermal sulfide spire on the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the Pacific Ocean.

Hydrothermal sulfide spire at Endeavor Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge in the Pacific Ocean.

Credit: Bruce Strickrott/WHOI


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Photo of Alvin extending its mechanical arm to a high-temperature black smoker.

Alvin extends its mechanical arm to a high-temperature black smoker at Endeavor Segment.

Credit: Bruce Strickrott/WHOI


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Photo of scientists James Holden, left, and Helene Ver Eecke with Alvin pilot Bruce Strickrott.

Scientists James Holden (left), Helene Ver Eecke with Alvin pilot Bruce Strickrott in The Deep.

Credit: Bruce Strickrott/WHOI


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Photo of Helene Ver Eecke with a hydrothermal vent sample aboard the ship Atlantis.

Researcher Helene Ver Eecke with a hydrothermal vent sample, aboard the ship Atlantis.

Credit: James Holden/UMass-Amherst


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