| Spreading centers, subduction zones, and fracture zones have all been present through all of the life’s development. Nevertheless, hydrothermal vent communities are nowhere near stable, as evidenced by the presence of vast beds of dead gastropod shells that must have been alive less than 25,000 years ago (Fustec et al. 1987). Other community changes have been observed on the order of 2 to 15 years (Fustec et al. 1987). The fossil record suggests that vent communities have persisted since the Carboniferous and new records from the Early Jurassic suggest that the fauna was complete different yet superficially looked similar to modern faunas (Little 2004) . | |
 |
Duration of vent communities in years. We do not know how long a vent community can live. |
Hydrothermal vent introduction
Where are thermal vents found?
Where is the energy coming from?