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Search for Life

The circulation of fluids up from the seafloor through hydrothermal vents provides chemical energy that sustains unique animals and habitats throughout the world’s oceans. The discovery of hydrothermal vent ecosystems expanded scientists’ understanding of the limits and constraints on life in extreme environments. MIT-WHOI Joint Program student Jill McDermott describe her experiences diving in Alvin to investigate vent systems and discuss how deep-sea research on Earth can inform the search for life elsewhere in our solar system in the next Science Made Public lecture on Tuesday July 29. (Photo by Julia DeMarines)