Researchers Discover Rare Life In Pacific Ocean

Life exists even at the deepest spot on earth, say researchers. A joint research group of U.S. and Japanese geoscientists, including a team from the University of Texas, Dallas, have discovered colonies of large bone-white clams near hydrothermal vents in the western Pacific Ocean.

Researchers discovered this during a deep-sea expedition in the western Pacific Ocean. They went there to study the Challenger Deep area and discovered colonies of large clams thriving nearby the hydrothermal vents. The Challenger Deep is the deepest known point in the ocean, at more than 35,700 feet. It is located about 300 miles south of the island of Guam.

Researchers also found that the hydrothermal vents discharge low-temperature fluid, whereas other vents spew out super hot fluids. They believe these kinds of low-temperature fluid vents are very hard to find and such vents can support life.

According to researchers, these vents are "oases in the abyss" because they spew mineral-rich water that create a perfect environment for life to exist even in the deepest point in the ocean.

"Understanding the source of these fluids and how life takes advantage of these may give us important clues as to the emergence of life on earth and how it might exist on other planets," said Dr. Robert Stern, professor of geosciences at the University of Texas.

"These kinds of low-temperature fluid vents are very difficult to find and may be very widespread on the ocean floor," he said.