First Image of Active Hydrothermal Vent Discovered

Indian oceanographers have captured the first images of an active hydrothermal vent 4,500 meters deep in the Indian Ocean, marking a major milestone in the ₹4,000-crore Deep Ocean Mission. Hydrothermal vents release superheated, mineral-rich water and support unique ecosystems. Discovered on the Central Indian Ridge using an Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV), the vent site revealed mineral deposits and chemosynthetic organisms. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) collaborated for this achievement. This discovery has potential for mineral exploration, biological studies, and deepening our understanding of marine ecosystems.