NOT ONLY NEWS TECH DESK: In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR) have identified a previously unknown deep-sea environment off the coast of Papua New Guinea — one where two powerful geological processes operate side by side for the first time ever observed.
Located 1,300 meters below the surface on the slope of Conical Seamount, near the island of Lihir in the western Pacific, the site hosts a rare combination of scalding hydrothermal vents and cool methane seeps. Scientists say such a dual system has never been documented anywhere else on Earth.
This unusual chemical mix is fueling a thriving ecosystem deep underwater. The area is teeming with life — mussels, tube worms, shrimp, and vibrant purple sea cucumbers — many of which may be new to science. The seafloor itself is visually striking: rocks shimmer with traces of gold, silver, and other metals left behind by ancient volcanic activity.
Researchers discovered that hot hydrothermal fluids rise from beneath the seabed while massive amounts of methane and hydrocarbons seep through nearby sediments. The coexistence of these two contrasting processes creates an energy-rich environment capable of sustaining diverse and abundant deep-sea species.
Scientists believe this newly found hydrothermal field could offer crucial insights into deep-ocean ecosystems, the origins of life, and how extreme environments function. Exploration of the site is ongoing, and experts expect more surprises as they continue to analyze the biological and geological treasures hidden in the depths of the Pacific.
