Does Extraterrestrial Life Exists? An Ocean Floor Hydrothermal Vent Can Help

In 2014, scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) discovered a hydrothermal vent in the Arctic Ocean and named it the Aurora hydrothermal system. Five years later, a follow-up expedition to the area discovered, as first reported by Interesting Engineering, that the hydrothermal system may have data regarding the existence of life on other planets and their moons. Furthermore, a hydrothermal vent on the ocean floor is not a recent finding. Oceanographers estimate that there are hundreds of these vents in each major ocean on the planet. Therefore, because of this, when the WHOI researchers found the Aurora Hydrothermal vent, they went back, assuming it was another similar vent covered by a thick layer of ice. [caption id="attachment_59153" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] image credit: scientificamerican[/caption] Returning to the site, however, allowed scientists to learn much more about the vent and how it can help them in their quest for life on the deep ocean-covered moons of Jupiter and Saturn - Europa and Enceladus, respectively. According to Chris German, senior scientist with the WHOI's Department of Geology and Geophysics, "The single biggest part of what we may have discovered is a vent site beneath an ice-covered ocean that is also a great place to study organic synthesis relevant to the origin of life and the search for life beyond Earth." [caption id="attachment_59152" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] image credit: whoi[/caption] He also added that the team's investigation of the geology of the seafloor and the chemistry of the surrounding water column led to the discovery of special features of the vent site. Also, Read: Jay Leno’s mind is blown by Elon Musk’s tour of SpaceX in Texas More Details According to a study on the vent site, hydrothermal mineral deposits may be more common than previously believed along half of all ridge crests in the world. And this is due to the deposits' notable concentrations of gold and copper. [caption id="attachment_59157" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] image credit: geekwire[/caption] German also said that this is a collection of vent locations that were formerly ignored because they couldn't support the growth of sizable hydrothermal mineral deposits. In addition, scientists previously thought that such small volcanic systems could not sustain hydrothermal circulation for very long, resulting in the formation of such enormous mineral deposits. Now, though, it might actually be useful to astronomers in their search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. Also, Read: NASA & Google Collaborate to Show the Solar System in AR Moreover, in addition to being located in the Arctic, the Aurora hydrothermal system is notable for being over 328 feet (100 m) wide. And in addition to serving as potential markers of life, the high amounts of copper and gold found in Aurora's deposits give these vents economic significance. Lastly, the journal Nature Communications just published the scientific results from the Aurora hydrothermal system.