The ocean floor is one of the most unexplored places on Earth. But new research suggests that there could be living at the bottom of the ocean – and we may not even know it. Scientists have found evidence that microbes live in extreme environments such as near hydrothermal vents, which are hotspots where hot water and minerals seep up from the seabed. If these microbes can survive in these harsh conditions, it's possible they can also thrive at the bottom of the ocean.