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Cold Seeps

Cold seeps are locations where hydrocarbon-rich fluid seeps up from below the seafloor, often as methane or hydrogen sulfide. Cold seeps have been found to support significant chemosynthetic communities, which produce food using chemical energy.

Choose from the sections below to further explore ocean exploration education resources on cold seeps.

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Lessons

These selected ocean exploration lessons were developed by educators and scientists to demonstrate key cold seep concepts. Lessons support the Next Generation Science Standards and the Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts. (Note: The links provided in lessons are verified at the time of publication, but over time, may change or become obsolete.)

The image depicts a cluster of marine mussels and small crabs on the ocean floor. The mussels have oblong, dark brown shells with a yellowish tinge and rough textures, speckled with small organisms. Several mussels are partially open, revealing a bright, creamy interior. Scattered among the mussels are small, pale crabs with elongated limbs and detailed exoskeletons. The crabs are mostly atop the mussels, indicating interaction with the mollusks or simply traversing the area. The background consists of dark substrates, likely the ocean bed.
Fueling Life on Earth: Chemosynthesis versus Photosynthesis

Grade Level: 9-12
Focus: Chemistry

Together, both photosynthesis and chemosynthesis fuel all life on Earth. In this activity, students analyze and compare the chemicals used by autotrophs to produce energy through chemosynthesis in the deep sea and through photosynthesis in order to construct an explanation for how life in hydrothermal vent environments and other environments transforms energy into stored energy.
Exposed methane hydrate, a translucent white, smooth ice-like substance, attached to a carbonate overhang was seen at a depth of 2,018 meters (1.25 miles) during the fourth Seascape Alaska 3 expedition dive. The overhang was home to tubeworms, clams, anemones, and crabs. This was one of three areas where exposed hydrates were observed during the dive.
Methane Hydrates in the Deep Sea

Grade Level: 6-8
Focus: Chemistry

Methane hydrates in the deep sea are associated with incredibly unusual and unique biological communities and are a potentially valuable energy resource. In this activity, students learn the chemistry and importance of methane hydrates in the deep sea by constructing their own methane hydrate model to gain understanding of the molecules and bonds that form a methane hydrate.
Image of a screenshot from the methane hydrate formation demonstration video.
Student Investigation: Fire Ice in the Deep Sea

Grade Level: 6-8
Focus: Physical Science/Properties of Matter

Students analyze chemical structures and make observations in order to develop and use a model to explain the phenomenon: How does methane hydrate form on and below the seafloor?
An aggregation of ice worms inhabiting methane hydrate. These worms eat chemoautotrophic bacteria using chemicals in the hydrate.
Student Investigation: Methane Ice Worms

Grade Level: 9-12
Focus: Life Science/Chemosynthesis

Students evaluate evidence and reasoning in order to construct an argument that supports a claim about the phenomenon: How do methane ice worms obtain organic compounds and energy while living on methane hydrate?

Additional Cold Seeps Resources

Fact Sheets
Exploration Notes - Field Stories
Ocean Facts
Deep dive into cold seeps video thumbnail
Deep Dives

Previously recorded deep dive interviews with experts on this topic for educator professional development purposes. Please note dates of programming. Resources, statistics and hotlinks may change over time.

Life Beyond Light: Chemosynthetic Communities of the Deep Ocean

In the deep sea, there is no sunlight. Life relies on chemosynthesis, the process by which food is made by bacteria or other living things using chemicals as the energy source. This poster highlights hydrothermal vent and cold seep habitats and the chemosynthetic communities that live there.

View the poster

These items are only a selection of the educational materials highlighting cold seeps on our website.

For more lessons and background information explore the Deep Ocean Education Project Website.

Searching for something? Email us: oceanexeducation@noaa.gov