NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists for the first time have uncovered an underworld of animal life thriving beneath the seafloor.
An expedition to a volcanically active ridge in the Pacific off South America has revealed worms, snails, giant tubeworms and other strange creatures lurking below steamy underwater hot springs.
Researchers have long studied animal communities near such hydrothermal vents. Many thought only microbes and viruses could survive underneath. To their surprise, an underwater robot last summer overturned volcanic slabs and found diverse life under the vents.
“This was totally unexpected,” said study co-author Sabine Gollner with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research.
Young critters from above the seafloor could be traveling through the vents to settle in the depths, Gollner said.
The research published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.
Future studies will help reveal whether colonies of animal life exist below other hydrothermal vents around the globe.
“This is an initial discovery that's really promising,” said Jason Sylvan, a microbiologist at Texas A&M University who was not involved with the research.
AP video producer Zara Eldridge contributed to this report from London.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
In this photo provided by Schmidt Ocean Institute, an eelpout swims by a tower of tubeworms at the Tica Vent, a site on the East Pacific Rise 2,500 meters deep. (Schmidt Ocean Institute via AP)
In this photo provided by Schmidt Ocean Institute, a rock crust sample, upside down, reveals Oasisia and Riftia tubeworms, as well as other organisms. (Schmidt Ocean Institute via AP)
In this photo provided by Schmidt Ocean Institute, experiments code-named "Mesh Box Staining Gadgets" are sealed to the seafloor at the Tica Vent, a site on the East Pacific Rise 2,500 meters deep. (Schmidt Ocean Institute via AP)
JABLANICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — Several thousand mourners in southern Bosnia converged Tuesday around 19 caskets covered in green cloth in Islamic tradition, part of a funeral service held for those killed during the destructive floods and landslide s that hit the country in early October.
Torrential rains and winds slammed four municipalities in central and southern Bosnia early on Oct. 4, catching people by surprise. Entire areas were cut off as flash floods swept away roads and bridges, and at least 26 people were reported dead. Authorities are still looking for one missing person.
The 19 victims were from Donja Jablanica, a village outside the town of Jablanica where the Bosnian Islamic Community Grand Mufti Husein Kavazovic led the service.
“No words are necessary,” said Kavazovic, addressing the mourners as they stood outside Jablanica Mosque. “Although the grief is deep and unbearable, we are aware that God decides about our lives. We are mortals.”
Burials were to be held separately once the service ended.
People from Donja Jablanica said they heard a thunderous roar before piles of rocks, mud and water descended on the village. Many houses were completely demolished and some families lost most of their members.
Enes Dzino said his daughter-in-law's nine family members were killed in the floods, except for one child who has since been hospitalized.
“It's hard, very hard to bear,” he said. “They were all gone in a second, her entire family. All killed.”
Bosnia’s neighbors and European Union countries sent help.
Human-caused climate change increases the intensity of rainfall because warm air holds more moisture. This summer, the Balkans were also hit by long-lasting record temperatures, causing a drought. Scientists said the dried-out land has hampered the absorption of floodwaters.
Coffins are prepared for the funeral of 19 victims of recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Coffins are prepared for the funeral of 19 victims of recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
A mourner weeps before the funeral of 19 victims of recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
A man mourns over a coffin before the funeral of victims of recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Coffins are displayed during the funeral service for victims of recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Imams and mourners attend the collective funeral for 19 victims of a landslide caused by recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Imams and mourners attend the collective funeral for 19 victims of a landslide caused by recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
An aerial view of the collective funeral for 19 victims of a landslide caused by recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
An aerial view of the collective funeral for 19 victims of a landslide caused by recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Imams and mourners attend the collective funeral for 19 victims of a landslide caused by recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
A person mourns over a coffin during the collective funeral for 19 victims of a landslide caused by recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Mourners gather as they attend the collective funeral for 19 victims of a landslide caused by recent floods in Jablanica, Bosnia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
