Our first tow-yo surveyed 80 kilometers of the back-arc spreading center. The location of hydrothermal vent fields can be estimated by mapping the distribution of particle plumes (measured in units of NTU) over the ridge. The most intense plumes, seen here as yellow, red and brown colors, were observed over the shallowest portion of the ridge. This information will assist scientists in planning future missions to the area, including identifying the best locations for diving in a submersible to discover the vent fields that are generating the plumes. |
