Scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute have discovered an unexplored hydrothermal vent off the Galapagos Islands, which has sparked long scientific discussions over the past 20 years. The important discovery was helped by lobsters, whose footprints led directly to the unique formation on the seabed.
The site is larger than a soccer field and consists of five geyser-shaped chimneys and three hot water springs.
They are essentially fissures in the rock spewing boiling water. Experts have known of their existence in the area for decades, but the search has been hampered by the transparency of the ejected water and the lack of large clouds of steam. Chemists, geologists and biologists had long tried to find the hydrothermal field, but it was the galateid crabs, also known as squat lobsters, that made the difference.
