Tn 1977, csientists got a surprise. Something was bubbing at the bottom of the ocean. They had found deep sea vents, home to amazing and unusual animals. Jonathan Eisen, one of the scientists investigating the vents,emphasized the disovery s importance. 'It told us that lite canthrive.1 not Not gtow a litte bit, but actually thrive-[even]in the absence2 of light." The vents are home to a huge number of creatuures.On average, scientists have discoveed a new species every 10 days since 1979. timothy Shank, amarine ecologist, cali the number of new species "mind-boggling" "We'te still on the tip of the iceberh," he says.