Nine North Creates an Extraordinary Ecosystem
In Nine North Creates an Extraordinary Ecosystem, narrator David Attenborough goes deep beneath the Pacific Ocean near the Galápagos Islands, to examine the hydrothermal vents known as "Nine North." The vents release superheated water, creating an extraordinary ecosystem. Towering mineral chimneys support a thriving community of giant tube-worms, some growing up to three meters long. These deep-sea creatures rely on the energy from the vents to survive, making them some of the fastest-growing marine invertebrates. However, this environment is unpredictable—vents can suddenly go dormant, leading to the rapid extinction of entire micro-worlds. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What are hydrothermal vents, and why are they important for deep-sea life?
A: Hydrothermal vents are openings in the seafloor that release hot, mineral-rich water. They provide energy and nutrients that support unique deep-sea ecosystems.
Q: How do tube-worms survive without sunlight?
A: Tube-worms rely on bacteria that use chemicals from the vents to produce energy, a process called "chemosynthesis."
Q: Why do hydrothermal vents eventually stop working, and what happens to the life around them?
A: Vents stop when volcanic activity shifts, cutting off the heat source. When this happens, the entire ecosystem collapses, and the organisms must migrate or perish.
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