Scientists on an expedition near the Galápagos Islands followed a trail of crabs on the ocean floor. The crabs led them to a field of hydrothermal vents, or deep-sea hot springs. AdvertisementClusters of white crabs on the ocean floor helped lead scientists to a new discovery off the Galápagos Islands: a field of hydrothermal vents, or deep-sea hot springs, full of life. Schmidt Ocean InstituteA vent chimney discovered within a previously unknown hydrothermal vent field near the Galápagos Islands. A large cluster of riftia tube worms proved the researchers were unquestionably in a new hydrothermal vent field.

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Persons: —, Dr, Roxanne Beinart, Hansel, Gretel, Ricardo Visaira Coronel, Dennisse Maldonado, INOCAR, Stuart Banks, Charles Darwin Organizations: Service, Schmidt Ocean Institute, Schmidt Ocean, University of Rhode Island, Ecuadorian, Charles, Charles Darwin Foundation Locations: Galapagos, Yellowstone