These creatures thrive 1.5 miles below the sea surface near a hydrothermal fissure in the ocean's floor, where temperatures exceed 600 degrees F. These "sea vent" inhabitants were captured on film with a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution high definition underwater imaging system from the Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin. The vent is in the Pacific about 1,000 miles south of San Diego, Calif.

Acorn Worm

Some acorn worms swim freely near the ocean bottom
and feed on floating particles of organic matter.

Zoarcid Fish

This zoarcid fish drifts slowly by an active hydrothermal chimney,
which spews a boiling mix of water and chemicals.
Like most vent fish, it is long and flat,
with a single long fin running the length of its spine.

Brachyuran Crab

The sightless brachyuran crab is constantly prowling around tubeworm patches,
feeling for its next meal.

Riftia Tube Worms

Red Riftia tube worms thrive near a sea vent,
even as they are being colonize by equally healthy mussels.
Larvae attach themselves to the lava near vents then build long,
white tubes as they grow.
Each tube absorbs sulfurous water that a sac of bacteria inside the worm
uses to generate energy and food for the worm.

Vent Shrimp

A vent shrimp, Alvinocaris lusca,
stands perched upon the edges of a tube worm tube.

Octopus

This octopus is similar to shallow-water species,
but adapted to the extreme pressures of the deep.
These cephalopods are top carnivores in the vent realm:
their tentacles and beaks can handle most prey.

Serpulid Worm

"Feather tipped"
serpulid worms help define the surreal environment around the vent.

'Dumbo' Octopus

The deep-sea "Dumbo" octopus got its nickname from obvious places,
but the benthic cephalopod Grimpoteuthis is equipped with large fins
(which may resemble mammalian ears) to help it swim.

Cerianthus

Tube anemones of the genus Cerianthus
attach themselves to the sea floor and capture food with their tentacles.
Although most are found in shallow waters, this species thrives 1.5 miles below the surface.


Doesn't this all make you wonder whats hanging out at other particular vents within our worlds, like volcano steam vents, or geyser vents, car vents, air conditoner vents, roof vents and so on.


Photo's and some information courtesy of blueplanet.com