Their interest had been stimulated by an analysis of the data for heat loss through the oceans. Heat loss is not even throughout the seafloor and predictions suggested there would be greater heat loss at mid-ocean ridges. The geologists found their heat loss-hydrothermal vents. What they did not expect was the huge biomass of animals in a region of the ocean that is considered impoverished in life. It was the collection of weird animals, many of them new to science, that captured the imagination of the scientists and led to a major series of research programs at hydrothermal vents that continue to this day.
Serendipitous observations can occur in many other aspects of marine biology.
Another deep sea example was discovered by Craig Young of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. Craig was diving at 600m in the Bahamas and noticed that one of the sea urchin species he was looking at appeared to occur in pairs. He rapidly outlined some experiments for subsequent dives to see if the 'pairing ' was a result of feeding activity or some mating habit. As it turned out the sea urchins paired to ensure successful fertilization. This is a sensible adaptive strategy to ensure successful fertilization between two individuals of a species that are often found far apart.