Three sites were investigated during the cruise where sonar data detected what appeared to be gas plumes in the water column. Further investigation revealed cold seeps and extensive chemosynthetic communities at all three locations. Shown in this image, chemosynthetic mussels of varying sizes were present at New England Seep Site 1. The red lasers (red dots in photo) shown in the photo are 10 centimeters apart and were used throughout the dive to provide scale.
Chemosynthetic Mussels
Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Northeast U.S. Canyons Expedition 2013.
Three sites were investigated during the cruise where sonar data detected what appeared to be gas plumes in the water column. Further investigation revealed cold seeps and extensive chemosynthetic communities at all three locations. Shown in this image, chemosynthetic mussels of varying sizes were present at New England Seep Site 1. The red lasers (red dots in photo) shown in the photo are 10 centimeters apart and were used throughout the dive to provide scale. Download larger version (jpg, 1.6 MB).
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