IUGS Geological Heritage Sites are chosen for their outstanding scientific value as exceptional examples of geological features, processes, and discoveries. They represent some of the world’s most significant places for understanding the Earth and its history. Located across the globe, they offer a surprising journey through the most important geological sites on Earth.
The recognition comes just months before the 50th anniversary of the Galapagos vents discovery in February 1977, which transformed scientists’ understanding of life in the deep ocean and opened new avenues for research into the origins of life and the possibility of life beyond Earth.
Scientists, including those from WHOI, discovered the Galápagos vents during an expedition to investigate the East Galápagos Rift, where tectonic plates pull apart and new ocean crust forms. Researchers had gathered clues of hydrothermal activity during earlier expeditions, including unusual temperature readings and evidence of distinctive seafloor geology. The team used ANGUS, the same deep-towed camera system that helped locate the Titanic, to photograph the seafloor and identify promising locations for closer investigation.
The images revealed shimmering water rising from the seafloor. Subsequent dives in the human-occupied submersible Alvin confirmed the presence of active hydrothermal vents and revealed an unexpected abundance of life, far from the sun’s reach.
WHOI marine geoscientist Chris German championed the site’s inclusion, working with colleagues from the field of hydrothermal vent biology to develop the imagery and scientific text to support the nomination. The Galápagos vents were also the first marine geological site introduced during the recent announcement at the IUGS Geological Heritage Sites program in Portugal.
“The Galápagos vents represent a turning point in ocean science. Before their discovery, scientists had no idea that entire ecosystems could thrive on the seafloor without sunlight, relying instead on energy from chemical reactions,” German explained. “That discovery changed how we think about where life can exist on Earth, and it continues to influence how we search for life elsewhere in our solar system.”
German’s research at WHOI explores the connections between deep-sea hydrothermal systems and the search for life on ocean worlds, including Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Both are thought to harbor oceans beneath their icy surfaces. Scientists are investigating whether conditions similar to those found around Earth’s hydrothermal vents could support life in these distant environments.
The possibility that life could exist without sunlight, using chemical energy instead, has fundamentally broadened the search for habitable environments beyond Earth.
“The discovery of hydrothermal vents gave us an entirely new way to think about the conditions needed for life. Now, as we explore ocean worlds elsewhere in our solar system, we are asking whether similar geological and chemical processes could support life beneath their icy surfaces,” said German.
The selection of the IUGS Third 100 Geological Heritage Sites builds on the success and global impact of the First 100, announced in Zumaia, Spain, in 2022, and the Second 100, announced during the 37th International Geological Congress (IGC 2024) in Busan, Republic of Korea. Since 2022, more than 1,000 experts from 90 countries and 20 international organizations have contributed to this program by proposing sites, participating in the selection process, and evaluating their scientific quality. With 74 active national members, IUGS is one of the world’s largest scientific organizations. It encourages international cooperation and participation in the Earth sciences in relation to human welfare.
The complete list of the Third 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites is available at iugs-geoheritage.org.
