T ravel with us to hydrothermal vents in the sunless depths of the world's oceans. We'll discover some of Earth's most bizarre creatures thriving in one of its strangest habitats. We'll marvel at megaplumes of super hot water and encounter fantastic geological formations. We may even find gold and clues about the origin of life in our solar system. Are you ready for an AdVENTure into the Abyss, Earth's last frontier? Click on "Dive Briefing" or any other link below to begin!

P repare for your journey of discovery! Learn the Basics: The What, Where, When, Why, How, and Wow of Hydrothermal Vents.

D iscover how scientists locate and study vents using a combination of intellect, instruments, and intuition.

M eet some of the brave men and women who research hydrothermal vents.

F ind out about a few of the many fascinating fauna found in vents: giant tube worms, extremophiles, living fossils, and a new domain of life.

G et the low down on the location and formation of vents, and about a vent chimney named 'Godzilla.'

L earn why the more we know about vents, the more important they become.

C onsider the pros and cons of continued vent research and mining, then make up your mind!

E xplore some of the unsolved mysteries of hydrothermal vents!

T est your knowledge of vents, print a certificate of your virtual journey, do fun activities to learn about water pressure and mapping the ocean floor, learn to convert temperatures, and discover how submersibles stay on course.

R egister your opinion on the ethics of continued vent exploration. Share your ideas to protect our oceans. Comment on vent-related topics.

C heck here if you can't fathom a term in the text, or just click on words in blue on nearly every page for a quick definition.

R ead about the generous scientists who helped us, and the sources you can use to continue your voyage of discovery to the exciting world of hydrothermal vents.