Once a significant anomaly has been found, the next job is to find the vent itself. Scientists might select one point inside the 'cloud' and lower the CTD directly down to the seafloor, recording temperature measurements along the way. Repeating this yields a vertical cross section of the plume, which might be 200 meters thick and several kilometers long. These temperature-anomaly profiles help pinpoint the vent more precisely. A temperature anomaly of about .4°C might indicate a position directly over a smoking vent!

Once the ship locates a vent, scientists send down a submersible or ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) to explore the environment and collect samples, specimens, images, and more data. It's a long and detailed process—and an exciting one.