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Currents reach deep for seafloor larvae

Surface waters circulate more than a mile down

By Devin Powell

- More than 2 years ago

Whirling ocean currents whipped up by the wind can reach hydrothermal vents more than a mile deep and transport intrepid bottom dwellers to distant realms, oceanographers report in the April 29 Science.

LAVA LARVAE Currents stirred up by winds at the ocean’s surface may carry larvae long distances to repopulate hydrothermal vents after catastrophes.