23 April 2014/Kiel. Hydrothermal vents in the deep sea, the so-called "black smokers", are fascinating geological formations. They are home to unique ecosystems, but are also potential suppliers of raw materials for the future. They are driven by volcanic "power plants" in the seafloor and release amounts of energy that could meet the needs of a small town. But how exactly do they extract this energy from the volcanic rock? Researchers at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel have now used computer simulations to understand the underground supply routes. The study is published in the international journal "Nature".