Tiny krill are turning up in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Scientists want to know why
Scientists have discovered Antarctic krill living in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, a surprising habitat for the species. Researchers are studying this behavior to better understand how climate change is impacting the krill population and the broader Southern Ocean food web.
Why it matters
Krill are a foundational species for the Antarctic ecosystem; understanding their habitat shifts is critical for conservation efforts amid rapid climate warming.
By Ari Daniel ( NPR ) Sept. 16, 2026 12:11 a.m. 00:00 / Antarctic krill, a shrimp-like crustacean that holds up the food web at the South Pole, were found at a hydrothermal vent off the Antarctic Peninsula during the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Southern Ocean Expedition in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute.
Antarctic krill are the lifeblood of the South Pole.
These shrimp-like crustaceans serve as a crucial food source for penguins, seals, and whales. “Most of them feed on Antarctic krill,” says Kim Bernard , a biological oceanographer at Oregon State University and a National Geographic explorer. “And if they don’t, they feed on something else that feeds directly on Antarctic krill. So they are absolutely fundamental to the functioning and health of that ecosystem.”
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