In 1977, the deep sea research vessel Alvin discovered the
first submarine "smokers".
Scientists were amazed at the abundance of these hydrothermal
systems.
And even more amazed at the biota which inhabited them.
The high temperatures, lack of sunlight and great pressures
of the seafloor were not intuitively conducive to such animals.
As it turns out, this biota survives by chemosynthesis rather
than photosynthesis.
The stamps shown below were issued by Portugal, showing "smokers"
on the mid-Atlantic ridge.
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