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A new study at the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field in the Atlantic Ocean reveals that deep-sea life around hydrothermal vents is far more diverse and complex than previously thought. Using remotely operated vehicle imagery across two hectares of seabed, researchers found that large mature vent structures act as biodiversity hotspots for specialist species such as vent mussels, while surrounding areas host rich communities of corals, sponges, shrimps, and other fauna. The study shows that biodiversity is shaped by a mosaic of habitats influenced by vent fluids, seabed topography, and substrate type. These findings challenge the idea that inactive or peripheral vent zones have low ecological value and raise concerns over deep-sea mining plans targeting these areas. 

Read more here: Loïc, V.A., Jozée, S., Annah, R. et al. The role of habitat mosaics on biological communities at hydrothermal vents and their periphery. Sci Rep 16, 9751 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-39544-x