The hydrothermal chimneys at Alarcón Rise are spectacular geologic formations 2,300 meters below the surface of the Gulf of California. The bizarre communities of animals that live on and around the vents have evolved to not only withstand but, in fact, thrive in the extreme temperature and chemical conditions. This video features some of the unusual geologic features and organisms found at vent sites, including stunning dense clumps of tubeworms (Ridgeia piscesae). Ridgeia worms are an example of a species that is specially adapted to the extreme hydrothermal vent ecosystem. They have a symbiotic relationship with chemosynthetic microbes that convert methane and sulfides from the water into energy for the worms.⠀ ⠀ #hydrothermalvent #geology geology rocks #deepseavent #chemosynthesis #chemosyntheticcommunity #tubeworms #microbiology #symbiosis #microbes #deepsealife #ocean #oceanlife #lifeonearth