AN UNDERSEA volcano in the Atlantic is home to a 鈥渓ost city鈥� of mineral
chimneys.
A team from the University of Washington in Seattle and elsewhere came across
the 60-metre-high chimneys while diving in the Alvin submersible. The chimneys,
formed by volcanic vents, are taller than any seen before and are made of
carbonates, rather than the usual sulphides. Bacteria thrive in the fluids
gushing from the chimneys, but there are few animals.