A dramatic overview of the deep-sea extremophiles that thrive in
scalding water and permanent darkness at the bottom of the ocean
The scalding-hot water gushing from vents at the bottom of the ocean is
one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Yet over millions of
years, many organisms--from chemical-eating bacteria to eyeless crabs
and iron-shelled snails--have evolved in amazing ways that enable them
to thrive in this unlikely habitat. Scientists are hard at work to learn
more about the complex ecosystems of the ocean depths.
Award-winning science writer Mary Batten and New York Times
best-selling illustrator Thomas Gonzalez, the masterful duo that created
Life in a Frozen World, team up again in this impressive overview of
hydrothermal ocean vents. Her clear, informative text coupled with his
unique and eerily realistic paintings of sights never seen on
land--gushing "black smokers," ghostly blind shrimp, red-plumed tube
worms--will entice readers to learn more about this once-hidden world at
the bottom of the sea.
An NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book