Beautiful Creatures of Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents
During our exploration of the deep sea hydrothermal vents along the Galapagos Rift, the team spotted many organisms in addition to Riftia tubeworms. From common sea cucumbers to the rare squidworm, the biology of the region is diverse and unique.
Galapagos Rift Exploration
The E/V Nautilus will spend several weeks exploring the Galapagos Rift region. The Galápagos Islands have been instrumental in the establishment of the biological theory of evolution, gaining insights to our knowledge of the chemistry of the Earth’s interior, and understanding the plate tectonic evolution of the eastern Pacific seafloor. In 1835 Charles Darwin visited the islands aboard the HMS Beagle and made fundamental biological and geological observations in the area.
Galapagos Rift
The E/V Nautilus will spend several weeks exploring the Galapagos Rift region. The Galápagos Islands have been instrumental in the establishment of the biological theory of evolution, gaining insights to our knowledge of the chemistry of the Earth’s interior, and understanding the plate tectonic evolution of the eastern Pacific seafloor.
