Swarming Shrimp on Summit of West Mata Volcano


The only abundant hydrothermal macro-fauna was a type of shrimp (Alvinocarid sp.) that swarmed around sites of diffuse venting (probably grazing on microbial mat) at the summit of West Mata volcano. Shrimp are 2 to 3 centimeters long (about1 inch). Video courtesy of National Science Foundation (NSF), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).