Biologists will study the life living around the vents. Geochemists will investigate the chemistry of the life-sustaining fluids spewing out of the seafloor. Lastly, geologists will explore the rocks and the surrounding seafloor to understand how hydrothermal vents form. Together they hope to answer many of the questions we all have about these strange creatures deep in our ocean. Biologists study living creatures.
Geologists study the Earth.
Combine the two, and you get a scientist who studies animals and how the move geographically. Hydrothermal vents are great places for biogeographical studies because the underwater environment is not effected by factors like weather and climate. The expedition team will be working at the Central Indian Ridge near 20-25 S latitude. At the top of the ridge is a deep valley that is about 4-5 kilometers wide. It is inside this valley and along its walls that the team will hunt for hydrothermal vents.