*****Hydrothermal+Vents*****

= Hydrothermal Vents  =

===** Hydrothermal vents are places at the bottom of the ocean where water comes out. The water is about 300 degrees fahrenheit. Many different types of unusual animals live around them. The thing that causes hydrothermal vents is when there are many cracks in the ocean floor, then cold water sinks down into the cracks where it touches the earths hot rocks. That's why the water is hot. Then the hot water dissolves chemicals found in rocks and flows back into the ocean through the cracks. **===

===** The vents are most common in deep parts of the ocean ( 20,000 feet ) In 1977, off the coast of South America, scientists found a large community of animals living by a vent. They were surprised because usually the chemicals would harm the animals. Not these animals! In the bodies of the vent organisms bacteria is there that convert the harmful chemicals into food and energy for themselves. Some of the animals found living by vents include: tube worms, white clams, and jellyfish-like animals called siphonophores. The vents and its animals are VERY unique. **===

===** I think the whole "vent" thing is pretty cool. All the animals that live there that can convert toxins to energy, wow! I could write a book: From Toxins to Energy : Hydrothermal Vent Creatures, By Celia M. I can see it now....... But ANYHOW ( enough daydreaming ) I don't think that humans can change toxins to food and/or energy! So all in all I say it's pretty cool. **===