Also interesting is the ramifications this has for the "time available" for evolution. No "surface water" necessary--just hot water, which could have been available FAR before standing surface water.
If these organisms are like those found around similar vents in the Pacific ocean they don't use oxygen or photosynthesis in their life cycle - they use that tasty hydrogen sulfide stuff which is poisonous to oxygen dependent organisms.
Good to see that pollution is good for SOME critters...
"After Man is gone the Earth will recover..." What dreck. People who think like this do not realize how insignificant Man is in the greater scheme of things. We could not destroy the Earth if we tried.