Underwater view of the Kunlun hydrothermal field with craters and marine life.

A human-occupied vehicle probing the deep Pacific Ocean has captured footage of a massive undersea hydrothermal field. The new system, named the Kunlun hydrothermal field, is more than 100x larger than the Atlantic Ocean’s ‘Lost City’ | AI News Digest

Published: September 1, 2025, 3:09 a.m. Science Positive

Researchers have discovered the Kunlun hydrothermal field in the Pacific Ocean, a massive undersea system over 100 times larger than the Atlantic's Lost City. This new field spans 11.1 square kilometers and features unique geological formations, including deep craters and dolomite walls. The Kunlun field is rich in hydrogen-rich fluids, which may provide insights into the origins of life on Earth. Marine life, including shrimp and tubeworms, thrives in this environment, showcasing its ecological potential. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about hydrogen generation in oceanic settings, suggesting more such undersea systems may exist.

hydrothermal ventsocean explorationmarine biologygeological formationsorigins of life