Hydrothermal vents are openings in the ocean floor where geothermally heated water is released, forming unique ecosystems deep beneath the Earth’s surface. They were first discovered in the mid-1970s, revolutionizing our understanding of life and its ability to thrive in extreme environments. These vents are found primarily along mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates diverge, allowing water to interact with magma beneath the Earth’s crust.