Abstract: Applications of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in submarine hydrothermal fields are reviewed. Firstly, the development status of AUVs for hydrothermal exploration at home and abroad is introduced. Then, the representative application requirements in the hydrothermal field such as topography, water environment and geophysical field detections and sample collection are proposed. The great achievements in submarine hydrothermal fields by Chinese Qianlong AUVs are also demonstrated. Finally, the technical development tendency of AUV to promote hydrothermal fields research and sulfide resources exploration in the future is prospected.