Hydrothermal vents are openings in the ocean floor where heated water rich in minerals is released from beneath the Earth's crust. These vents are typically found along mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates are moving apart. The water can reach temperatures of over 400 degrees Celsius (752 degrees Fahrenheit) and is often dark and acidic. These unique ecosystems support a variety of life forms, including tube worms, chemosynthetic bacteria, and giant clams. Instead of relying on sunlight for energy, these organisms use the chemicals in the vent water to produce food through a process called chemosynthesis. This allows them to thrive in an environment where sunlight cannot reach.