Without the energy of the sun, an overwhelming majority of life could no longer exist. The surface of the earth would be completely barren; neither plants nor animals would be able to withstand a brutal environment. Even the sea would be impregnated with dead fish carcasses. However, deep in the oceans, species evolved without any help from solar energy. These evolutionary marvels thrive in communities whose only source of energy are hydrothermal vents located more than 7,000 feet below sea level (Brooks). Hundreds of unique species exist in these hotspots alone, living off the minerals released from the vents. Hydrothermal vents form when tectonic plates move apart from each other, leaving space in between. The magma then rises to the surface and heats the seawater. If the vents were at sea level, the seawater would immediately boil, but due to the immense pressure at this depth, it can reach temperatures above 700 degrees Fahrenheit and do not boil (hydrothermal). Minerals from the Earth's crust dissolve in the warm water, which then flows upward and merges with the colder water above. This allows the minerals to solidify again and form deposits; some reach the height of 15-story buildings (Brooks)! Different types of mineral deposits mean different types of vents. The two most common are black smokers and white smokers. When the minerals spewed from the vents consist of sulfide and iron, they produce black smoke, hence the name. Black smokers are generally sexier than their counterparts. White smokers don't contain a lot of sulfides or iron, so their smoke is much whiter and they don't get as big. With a pH as low as 2.8, it does not seem plausible that anything could be capable... ...middle of paper......, life has been able to adapt so that the neighborhood becomes ideal. The incredible ability of species such as the giant tube worm and the Pompeii worm is so scientifically fascinating and courageous that even if we fell, something on this small planet would continue. Works consulted Brooks, David. “Hydrothermal vent.” Hydrothermal vent. Tropical Marine Ecology, June 5, 2006. Web. May 06, 2014.Day, Trevor. Oceans. New York, NY: Facts on the Record, 1999. 41-42. Print."Giant tube worm (Riftia Pachyptila)." Videos, photos and facts about the giant tube worm.WIldscreen, 2013. Web. May 6, 2014. “A hydrothermal vent forms when seawater encounters hot magma. » What is the hydrothermal vent? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, January 11, 2013. Internet. May 5, 2014. "Pompeii worm, Alvinella Pompejana." - Library of various references. Red Orbit, 2014. Internet. May 06 2014.