A mountain range that exists deep within the ocean near the Arctic Circle has thrown up a surprise for scientists studying the area. Known as the&nbsp;Knipovich Ridge, the area wasn't thought to be of much importance. However, a new discovery made 3,000 metres deep off the coast of Svalbard, in Norway, has the scientists all excited. The underwater mountain range is supposedly home to a field of hydrothermal vents. The entire field is nearly a kilometre in length and 200 metres wide and has been named after a Norse mythology creature.&nbsp;

Jøtul, the giants in Norse mythology, is the name given to the underwater hydrothermal vent field. Jøtul are giants that live under the mountains in Norse mythology.&nbsp;

Explaining how the system works, marine geologist Gerhard Bohrmann, University of Bremen in Germany, says, "Water penetrates into the ocean floor where it is heated by magma. The overheated water then rises back to the sea floor through cracks and fissures."

"On its way up the fluid becomes enriched in minerals and materials dissolved out of the oceanic crustal rocks. These fluids often seep out again at the sea floor through tube-like chimneys called black smokers, where metal-rich minerals are then precipitated."

Why are hydrothermal vents important?

Hydrothermal vents exist at depths in the ocean where light doesn't reach and it is always dark and cold. Hydrothermal vents in such regions release minerals into the water which create an environment conducive to life which thrives on chemosynthesis, under which chemical reactions are harnessed for energy instead of sunlight, as is the case with photosynthesis.

Such a scene proves how much this undersea thrives than actually believed. One of the reasons such a discovery is important is because it holds clues about how other worlds, planets and moons, where the conditions are very different from Earth, might be able to host life.&nbsp;

The Jøtul Field sits on a slow-spreading ridge, a boundary between two tectonic plates. Valleys and ridges are continuously forming here as these plates are slowly moving away from each other.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A mountain range that exists deep within the ocean near the Arctic Circle has thrown up a surprise for scientists studying the area. Known as the Knipovich Ridge, the area wasn't thought to be of much importance.

A mountain range that exists deep within the ocean near the Arctic Circle has thrown up a surprise for scientists studying the area. Known as the Knipovich Ridge, the area wasn't thought to be of much importance. However, a new discovery made 3,000 metres deep off the coast of Svalbard, in Norway, has the scientists all excited. The underwater mountain range is supposedly home to a field of hydrothermal vents. The entire field is nearly a kilometre in length and 200 metres wide and has been named after a Norse mythology creature. Jøtul, the giants in Norse mythology, is the name given to the underwater hydrothermal vent field. Jøtul are giants that live under the mountains in Norse mythology. Explaining how the system works, marine geologist Gerhard Bohrmann, University of Bremen in Germany, says, "Water penetrates into the ocean floor where it is heated by magma. The overheated water then rises back to the sea floor through cracks and fissures." "On its way up the fluid becomes enriched in minerals and materials dissolved out of the oceanic crustal rocks. These fluids often seep out again at the sea floor through tube-like chimneys called black smokers, where metal-rich minerals are then precipitated." Why are hydrothermal vents important? Hydrothermal vents exist at depths in the ocean where light doesn't reach and it is always dark and cold. Hydrothermal vents in such regions release minerals into the water which create an environment conducive to life which thrives on chemosynthesis, under which chemical reactions are harnessed for energy instead of sunlight, as is the case with photosynthesis. Such a scene proves how much this undersea thrives than actually believed. One of the reasons such a discovery is important is because it holds clues about how other worlds, planets and moons, where the conditions are very different from Earth, might be able to host life. The Jøtul Field sits on a slow-spreading ridge, a boundary between two tectonic plates. Valleys and ridges are continuously forming here as these plates are slowly moving away from each other. (With inputs from agencies)

Latest underwater discovery can help understand how life might emerge on other worlds

Mars is the future of humanity, or so the route of space explorations currently being undertaken by agencies around the world would have you believe. As private players like SpaceX join the big leagues of space exploration, competition could trigger quick developments in the industry.&nbsp;

A scientist from Cornell University recently wrote for BBC on how humans may have accidentally taken life to Mars. The scientist wondered how humans may have&nbsp;carried microbes into space, which may have survived the trip to make their new home on the Red Planet.

According to Christopher Mason, any life consequentially discovered on Mars may have originated in NASA labs. Even then, the author noted how NASA follows on-site cleaning procedures and assembles spacecraft in specialised rooms.

NASA’s spacecraft including the Perseverance Rover are built in sterilised rooms and each component is cleaned before assembly. Mason says that this should theoretically ensure that no bacteria or organisms are able to survive the assembly process.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/mars-sucks-people-troll-elon-musks-idea-of-space-colonisation-379864" hreflang="en">'Mars sucks!' People troll Elon Musk's idea of space colonisation</a>

The filtration process, in addition provides an extra layer of protection so that only a “few hundred particles” may be able to contaminate each square foot. But, even that may not enough. Microbes, as Mason puts, have a tendency to survive in the least expected places. They are found inside our bodies and may sneak through the most sophisticated of cleaning processes in the world.

In the BBC piece, Mason referred to his theoretical research to show that microbes may become a problem during space missions, as they contain genes that may be able to resist radiation and cold environments. In fact, Mason offers an argument for natural selection, saying that the microbes that are able to survive the strictest cleaning processes may have a greater chance to survive the journey to Mars.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/eyeing-mars-elon-musk-wants-humans-to-be-multi-planet-species-379777" hreflang="en">Eyeing Mars, Elon Musk wants humans to be 'multi-planet species'</a>

“Forward contamination” may be inadvertent, Mason notes. This happens when travellers intentionally or unintentionally take something from one planet to another. He adds that a scientific point of view, this is undesirable and new organisms may wreak havoc if introduced in alien ecosystems.

Even then, not all of lost! If current signs of life did in fact originate on Earth and not Mars, scientists will be able to ascertain the same.

Mars is the future of humanity, or so the route of space explorations currently being undertaken by agencies around the world would have you believe. As private players like SpaceX join the big leagues of space exploration, competition could trigger quick developments in the industry.

Mars is the future of humanity, or so the route of space explorations currently being undertaken by agencies around the world would have you believe. As private players like SpaceX join the big leagues of space exploration, competition could trigger quick developments in the industry. A scientist from Cornell University recently wrote for BBC on how humans may have accidentally taken life to Mars. The scientist wondered how humans may have carried microbes into space, which may have survived the trip to make their new home on the Red Planet. According to Christopher Mason, any life consequentially discovered on Mars may have originated in NASA labs. Even then, the author noted how NASA follows on-site cleaning procedures and assembles spacecraft in specialised rooms. NASA’s spacecraft including the Perseverance Rover are built in sterilised rooms and each component is cleaned before assembly. Mason says that this should theoretically ensure that no bacteria or organisms are able to survive the assembly process. Also read: 'Mars sucks!' People troll Elon Musk's idea of space colonisation The filtration process, in addition provides an extra layer of protection so that only a “few hundred particles” may be able to contaminate each square foot. But, even that may not enough. Microbes, as Mason puts, have a tendency to survive in the least expected places. They are found inside our bodies and may sneak through the most sophisticated of cleaning processes in the world. In the BBC piece, Mason referred to his theoretical research to show that microbes may become a problem during space missions, as they contain genes that may be able to resist radiation and cold environments. In fact, Mason offers an argument for natural selection, saying that the microbes that are able to survive the strictest cleaning processes may have a greater chance to survive the journey to Mars. Also read: Eyeing Mars, Elon Musk wants humans to be 'multi-planet species' “Forward contamination” may be inadvertent, Mason notes. This happens when travellers intentionally or unintentionally take something from one planet to another. He adds that a scientific point of view, this is undesirable and new organisms may wreak havoc if introduced in alien ecosystems. Even then, not all of lost! If current signs of life did in fact originate on Earth and not Mars, scientists will be able to ascertain the same.

Did NASA accidentally create life on Mars? Here's how it may have happened

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Latest underwater discovery can help understand how life might emerge on other worlds

Did NASA accidentally create life on Mars? Here's how it may have happened