In the 30 years since the discovery of hydrothermal vents in the Galápagos Rift in 1977, our understanding of planet Earth and life on it has changed drastically. It began with the surprise discovery of ecosystems fuelled by chemical energy from the Earth's interior rather than solar energy. Although our understanding of the biodiversity, distribution and functioning of these deep-sea oases has increased rapidly, many scientific mysteries remain. Exploration continues to play a major role in hydrothermal vent research and is continually abetted by new and improved technologies including submersibles, ROV's, AUV's, deep-towed vehicles and sensors. With each exploratory cruise, new sites and new species are discovered, improving our understanding of gene flow and global biogeography, contributing to the main goal of the ChEss programme.

In June 2007, we will celebrate the last three decades of exploration and discovery by commemorating the work of scientists, engineers and shop officers and crews in a special event. Our aim is to pay tribute to those behind this major discovery, describing our present knowledge and efforts to advance the science using the latest technologies, both on Earth and in outer space. To this aim, the steering committees of ChEss and the Census of Marine Life will meet for two days in the Galápagos to discuss plans for the future of vent-related science, outreach and education, as well as links with management, conservation and policy makers. We will also devote an entire day to inviting the public to join us in a recognition of the past, present and future of hydrothermal vent investigations on Friday 29th June.

Meeting summary & photos

The 4th ChEss SSC meeting was held in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, on 27-28 June 2007. The SSC discussed during 1.5 days issues related to Synthesis Plans for the ChEss project in the framework of CoML requirements for 2010.
The ChEss group also discussed at length other important issues such as the increasing impact of human activities, and in particular deep-sea mining and fisheries, in chemosynthetic habitats.

A number of initiatives have discussed towards synthesis activities for ChEss, both in terms of science synthesis and visualisation for the broader public. Further and stronger collaborations with other CoML projects - in particular with COMARGE, CenSeam, MAR-ECO, CeDAMar and CAML - are being developed in order to provide a global picture of biodiversity and functioning of the deep-sea ecosystem as a whole.

If you would like further details regarding the meeting conclusions, please do not hesitate in contacting the ChEss Project Managers: Eva and Maria

Abstracts and Podcasts from Public Event

The public event to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the discovery of hydrothermal vents on the Galapagos Rift was a great success, with over 200 people attending the talks and the exhibit activites. [Link to talk abstracts and podcasts]

Agenda

Tuesday 26
Arrival of ChEss delegates to Quito

Wednesday 27
12:00 Arrival of ChEss delegates to Galapagos
14.00-18.00 ChEss SSC meeting at CDRS

Thursday 28
08.30-12.30 ChEss SSC meeting at JICA Conference Hall
12.30-13.30 Lunch with CoML SSC
13.30-17.30 ChEss SSC meeting at JICA Conference Hall
20.00 ChEss & CoML dinner(s) (venues to be organized)

Friday 29 - Public Event at the Municipality Hall, Puerto Ayora
Public talks (with Spanish Translations)
10.30-11.00 Fred Grassle: The Discovery of Hydrothermal Vents - an explorers perspective
11.00-11.30 Emory Kristof: The Discovery from the eye of a lens
11.30-12.00 Cindy Van Dover: The exotic fauna of deep-sea oases
12.00-12.30 Chris German: Modern vent investigations and links with space exploration

See Talk Abstracts Here

13.00-15.00 Lunch (not provided)
15.00-16.00 Movie - 'Volcanoes of the Deep' and round table discussions with public (2nd showing if required)
18.00 Pack up exhibition
Public Exhibition
•Small display with 1 laptop showing video/images (Blue Planet?) •Children's art corner and competition (with prizes) •Animals and pieces of chimney for display •Educational posters (bilingual) •Vent photos printed and laminated •Aquarium with simulation of vent field and remote operated mini-submersible