[1] The combined depth and vent fluid temperature make it a popular site for studying aqueous thermodynamics, high-pressure biology, and geochemistry.

The Beebe vent field was initially detected in October 2009 by CTD, Eh, and optical backscatter anomalies in the water column above the Mid-Cayman Rise aboard the R/V Cape Hatteras.

In 2010, the RRS James Cook's 44th voyage returned to the Mid-Cayman Rise to survey the areas predicted to host hydrothermal sites in 2009.

[7][8][9][10][11] The Beebe vent field is in the Caribbean Sea, at the northern end of the Mid-Cayman Rise on the segments closest to the Septentrional-Oriente fault zone.

The series of mounds continue to the northeast of the field, where high-temperature hydrothermal activity used to take place, as evidenced by extinct chimneys.

Residing on the slope of the mound, the Hot Chimlet site has a light dusting of sulfide materials likely sourced from the center of the field.

[3][18][19] These hot, acidic conditions make precipitation of metal-sulfide chimneys possible, also giving the hottest vents their characteristic black-smoker appearance from high concentrations of dissolved metals.

[21] Beebe has an abundance of shrimp present at venting orifices, particularly those of Rimicaris hybisae, belonging to the family of Alvinocarididae, and are almost completely blind.

[22] These shrimp have eyes as juveniles but lose them as they age, developing a light-sensing organ that they can use to detect the infrared glow of hot, venting locations.

Exposed rocks have shown filamentous bacteria and orange sediments around the field, where microorganisms such as Beggiatoa are suggested to utilize hydrogen sulfide in venting fluids to metabolize chemosynthetically.

Common ecosystem disruptions during hydrothermal expeditions, such as rock collections and artificial illumination, may damage organism photoreceptors at Beebe.

[32] In 2013, cruise YK-13-05 by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) was undertaken to sample and live stream dives of the DSV Shinkai 6500.

[11] Uncertainty in cable presence is a potential hazard for human-operated submersibles such as the DSV Alvin, which did not dive at Beebe due to safety concerns.