Geoheritage in the Making: The discovery and vulnerability of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents

Abstract

Some significant geologic sites are inaccessible. Among the most inaccessible sites are the hydrothermal vents and their associated biologic communities located deep in the ocean. These prime geoheritage sites, hosting what may be the most primordial life on Earth, are vulnerable to mineral and fishing exploitation. Many lie in international waters, protected only by non-binding agreements with no clearly defined means of enforcement. The discovery of these vents in 1977 fundamentally altered scientists' view of basic Earth processes and the extreme conditions under which life can exist. The discovery of the vents was a group effort and required technological accomplishments not available to previous generations of researchers. Often overlooked in the credits for this discovery was the persistence and determination of Kathleen Crane, a graduate student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Many women of her era faced significant challenges as they attempted to break into an often unwelcoming field, marine geology. The challenges were not unique to geology; women were not welcomed in many other disciplines both scientific and non-scientific. In spite of the obstacles, few people have made as remarkable a geoscience discovery as Dr. Crane.