IUGS Names Galápagos Vents a Geological Heritage Site
The hydrothermal vents, discovered in 1977, are among the International Union of Geological Sciences' Third 100 Geological Heritage Sites.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Geology
The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has named the Galápagos hydrothermal vents a Geological Heritage Site as part of its Third 100 selection, announced in Portugal. The vents were the first marine geological site introduced at the announcement.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the scientific value of seafloor hydrothermal systems, which researchers study for insights into early life on Earth and possible conditions on icy moons. The selection comes as the program grows with contributions from experts in many countries.
The vents were discovered in February 1977 during an expedition to the East Galápagos Rift, using the deep-towed ANGUS camera system to photograph the seafloor. Subsequent dives in the submersible Alvin confirmed active hydrothermal venting.
The players
International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)
The IUGS is an international scientific body that administers the Geological Heritage Sites program, which now includes more than 1,000 contributing experts from 90 countries.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
WHOI is a private research institution in Massachusetts known for deep-sea exploration, including work with the submersible Alvin.
Chris German
Chris German is a marine geoscientist at WHOI who championed the inclusion of the Galápagos vents in the heritage program.
The details
Researchers used ANGUS, the deep-towed camera system that helped locate the Titanic, to photograph the seafloor and identify promising locations. WHOI marine geoscientist Chris German championed the site's inclusion, working with colleagues from hydrothermal vent biology on the nomination.
Timeline
February 1977: Galápagos vents discovered during East Galápagos Rift expedition.
2022: First 100 IUGS heritage sites announced in Zumaia, Spain.
2024: Second 100 sites announced at IGC 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea.
November 6, 2026: Third 100 sites announced in Portugal, including the Galápagos vents.
Months before February 2027: Recognition precedes the 50th anniversary of the vents' discovery.
The Big Picture
The 1977 discovery at the East Galápagos Rift showed that hydrothermal vents support unexpected ecosystems on the deep seafloor. The new heritage designation formalizes that scientific milestone fifty years after its first observation.
Hydrothermal vents are studied for their possible role in the origin of life and for their chemistry, which may inform the search for life beyond Earth. Scientists are investigating whether conditions similar to these vents could support life on Europa and Enceladus.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like this one help protect scientifically important features that are often out of public view. The Galápagos vents show how deep-sea exploration can reveal geology that reshapes scientific understanding.
Further reading
Explore more about Geology and how seafloor features like these shape our understanding of Earth's history.
More information
View the complete list of Third 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites on the program's official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ocean News & Technology.
