Many scientists believe primordial life sprang from geothermal vents in the ocean’s deep trenches. There, a witch’s brew of chemicals, ignited by volcanic infernos in the cold and dark, sparked the creation of organic molecules and proto-cellular forms. Now, meet what evolution has produced: elegant sea creatures that still “hot-tub” at volcanic hot springs—but in the sun-warmed shallows of Sulawesi’s lush reefs. —MJS

Take a trip to Elkhorn Slough - just north of Monterey, CA - not just to see the cute sea otters, but to learn what keeps their population healthy. Sea slugs may look like lazy, zebra-striped spoonfuls of yellow Jell-O, but one species, eelgrass sea hares, with their voracious appetite for algae are environmental heroes, helping to keep underwater meadow ecosystems in balance and sea otters in abundance. —AB

In the Antarctic summer of 2015, the Polish yacht, Selma, headed south from Hobart, Tasmania, its goal: to get closer to the geographical South Pole than any other sailing vessel ever had. The 11 crew members were picked by experienced co-captain and organizer, Piotr Kuznar, who says of them: “On this kind of trip, you need [people] good at cracking jokes.” You will see why by film’s end. —SJPH