'cosmic tree of life' hydrothermal vents (Image Credit - x - @LiveScience)A recent discovery done by scientists of hydrothermal vent ecosystems located in the Arctic region has unveiled what some scientists refer to as a 'cosmic tree of life' in a depth of around 9,850 feet (3,000 meters).
Numerous life forms that have adapted to the high temperatures and chemically rich environment can be found in the water .
Story continues below Advertisement Remove AdThe cosmic tree is said to link the nine realms according to Norse mythology.
Located on the ocean floor, hydrothermal vents are amazing geological structures that resemble underwater geysers or hot springs.
Different kinds of hydrothermal vent structures are formed as the vent minerals cool and solidify into mineral deposits.
'cosmic tree of life' hydrothermal vents (Image Credit - x - @LiveScience)
A recent discovery done by scientists of hydrothermal vent ecosystems located in the Arctic region has unveiled what some scientists refer to as a 'cosmic tree of life' in a depth of around 9,850 feet (3,000 meters). It was earlier assumed that the vent was geologically inactive but the recent discovery proved that this is not the case.
Numerous life forms that have adapted to the high temperatures and chemically rich environment can be found in the water . This newly discovered vent is named after Norse mythology, it is said that this is one of the largest vents that contains multiple chimneys and branches and is referred to as Yggdrasil which was the cosmic tree of life.
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The cosmic tree is said to link the nine realms according to Norse mythology. Our knowledge of the circumstances in which life can exist and its ability to adapt to harsh conditions has been broadened by the finding of these ecosystems in the Arctic.
Located on the ocean floor, hydrothermal vents are amazing geological structures that resemble underwater geysers or hot springs. These vents usually happen at mid-ocean ridges, which are crevices in the Earth's crust caused by the divergence of tectonic plates. As these plates separate, magma from beneath the Earth's surface ascends, cools, and forms new crust and volcanic mountain chains.
After emerging from the marine crust, the warm, mineral-rich fluids combine with the cooler seawater above. Different kinds of hydrothermal vent structures are formed as the vent minerals cool and solidify into mineral deposits.
These vents support unique ecosystems that are independent of sunlight. Instead, they rely on chemosynthesis, a process where bacteria convert the chemicals emitted by the vents into organic matter.
These bacteria form the base of a food web that includes a variety of specialized organisms such as giant tubeworms, clams, and vent shrimp, all of which have adapted to the extreme conditions of their environment.
The ecosystems that get created there teams up with the unique life forms present there that thrive in the extreme conditions of hydrothermal vents, providing valuable insights into the origins and adaptability of life.
