Fkt230303-Vent_fauna_ReflectivePool-4855.jpg (IMAGE) Schmidt Ocean Institute Caption This high-temperature hydrothermal vent field was discovered during the expedition in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Within hydrothermal vents, seawater chemically altered through water-rock interactions at high temperatures is expelled through geological formations called chimneys. Credit Schmidt Ocean Institute Usage Restrictions Use with attribution License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.