The site contains biological and geological information related to the Extreme 2000 expedition. The crew is searching for new organisms that live in the chemical rich, super hot water erupting from hydrothermal vents. They are looking at sites over one and a half miles underwater in the Sea of Cortez off of the coast of Mexico. Visitors can read the divers' logs and view colored maps to help them understand the tectonic activity in the area. Scientists on the crew answer questions about their educational background and research questions.
Color photographs show the heat tolerant organisms in their natural environment.
The site explains that, when scientists want to keep the deep sea organisms in their labs, they have to use special containers that simulate the pressure in the organisms' native habitats. The construction and use of other special equipment is described. Visitors learn how the undersea vents are formed and how bacteria help protect other organisms from the extreme heat. A resource section offers activity suggestions, science vocabulary lists, and extra credit ideas. One biology activity asks the students to find pictures and descriptions of five deep sea fish and hypothesize why so few of them live at the hydrothermal vent sites.