Deep sea vents: Exploring a strange world

Deep sea vents are fissures on the seabed where geological activity heats the seawater to extreme temperatures, issuing chemicals and minerals in the process.

In 2010, scientists from the UK's National Oceanography Centre and the University of Southampton were the first to gaze upon the deepest and hottest vents discovered so far, in the Cayman Trench at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea.

Three years later, the scientists have returned and have already sent back stunning images of the creatures in the deep. Use this guide to explore further.