Tubeworms, snails and other weird creatures found under the seafloor

Scientists have uncovered an underworld of animal life thriving beneath the seafloor. An expedition to hydrothermal vents off the west coast of South America has revealed worms, snails, tubeworms and other strange creatures living under the vents. Researchers have long studied animal communities that lurk near these underwater hot springs. Many thought only viruses and microbes could survive below, but the new study hints that young critters from above the seafloor could be traveling through the vents to settle in the depths. The research was published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. Scientists have uncovered an underworld of animal life thriving beneath the seafloor. An expedition to hydrothermal vents off the west coast of South America has revealed worms, snails, tubeworms and other strange creatures living under the vents. Researchers have long studied animal communities that lurk near these underwater hot springs. Many thought only viruses and microbes could survive below, but the new study hints that young critters from above the seafloor could be traveling through the vents to settle in the depths. The research was published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.  AP Technology and Science