Galapagos Rift vents
On the spreading centre east of the Galapagos Islands, scientists diving in Alvin in 1977 found the first known deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and around them dense communities of giant tube worms, clams and crabs: an ecosystem living on the chemistry of the vents instead of sunlight.
Dated events and their evidence
- 1976 CE mainstream
June: on the Pleiades II expedition, Scripps scientists using the Deep-Tow imaging system get the first evidence of hydrothermal vents along the Galapagos Rift source - 1977 CE mainstream
scientists diving in Alvin discover warm vents, about 20 degrees C, on the Galapagos spreading centre, teeming with life source - 1980 CE mainstream
the giant white clam from the vents, over 260 mm long and the largest living member of its family, is described as Calyptogena magnifica source - 1981 CE mainstream
it is understood that giant tube worms are fed by chemoautotrophic bacteria living inside them source
Where
0.7920° N, 86.1500° W
The point is Wikidata's position for the Galapagos Rift (Q23925956, Global Volcanism Program 334070), on the spreading centre east of the Galapagos Islands where the 1977 dives took place.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrothermal_vent
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSV_Alvin
- https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.11941
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.207.4438.1421
Each event carries Aion's own evidence grade (mainstream, disputed or speculative). This page repeats what the globe shows for this place.