This is something that is very rarely seen in museum displays, so we are very lucky to have this specimen.  Hydrothermal vents are formed on the sea floor by volcanically heated water gushing out from under the sea bed, to form these ‘chimney’ like structures. On display is the tip of a vent chimney as well as some of the animals attached to it – in this case stalked barnacles. Also with it are yeti crabs, sea spiders and vent limpets. It is unusual for animals to get their energy without any sunlight, but here they survive on chemicals from the hot waters. Our vent was collected by remotely operated underwater vehicle on an expedition in the Southern Ocean.