Photo & Video Log

This page contain photos and videos taken during the Submarine Ring of Fire 2012 expedition. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Multiple video formats are available on the linked pages. If a Podcast icon Podcast Icon is present, a video or audio file is available for download or you can subscribe to the RSS Podcast Feed. NOAA Podcast RSS 2.0 Feed

If a slideshow icon slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

camera icon Video & Slideshows
Scientist observe the Mata Fitu vent community were they discovered several scale worms. The science team observes bubbling sulfur chimneys at the Niua North hydrothermal site at around 800 meters A gravid (with eggs) shrimp at Niua North hydrothermal vent site. Fly-through from the north to the south along the Northeast Lau basin.

camera icon Dive 9 Highlights -
Niua North hydrothermal vent plumes and marine life.

camera icon Dive 8 Highlights -
Chimneys at Mata Fitu looked like Christmas trees.

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Stalked barnacles filter-feeding with their white "citti" at Mata Ua.

camera icon Dive 1 Highlights -
The science team explores bacterial mats at Vai Lili.
             
Fly-through from the north to the south along the Northeast Lau basin. Fly-through from the south toward the north along the Lau basin. 3D images slideshow of the Submarine Ring of Fire 2012 proposed remotely operated vehicle dive sites. ROV dive highlight image collection.

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Fly-through from the north to the south along the Northeast Lau basin.

camera icon NE Lau Basin
Fly-through from the south toward the north along the Lau basin.

camera icon NE Lau Basin
3D images slideshow of the Submarine Ring of Fire 2012 proposed ROV dive sites.

camera icon Mission Summary
ROV dive highlight image collection.
             
Hot shimmering water vents from a black chimney as a fish swims by and narrowly avoids its scalding temperatures. 'Beehive' chimneys seen at Niua South are covered with two species of snails and shrimp.    

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Hot shimmering water vents from a black chimney as a fish swims by and narrowly avoids its scalding temperatures.

camera icon Dive Q333 'Beehive' chimneys seen at Niua South are covered with two species of snails and shrimp.

    
             
Huge numbers of scaleworms were observed on the seafloor and (as seen here) free-swimming, at West Mata. Elongated pillow lava tubes that formed on the steep slope of West Mata are truncated along the rim of the new pit crater. Thousands of shrimp swim up off the bottom when the ROV bumps a rock at West Mata Huge numbers of scaleworms were observed on the seafloor and (as seen here) free-swimming, at West Mata.

camera icon Dive Q332 Huge numbers of scaleworms were observed on the seafloor and (as seen here) free-swimming, at West Mata.

camera icon Dive Q332
Elongated pillow lava tubes that formed on the steep slope of West Mata are truncated along the rim of the new pit crater.

camera icon Dive Q332 Thousands of shrimp swim up off the bottom when the ROV bumps a rock at West Mata

camera icon Dive Q332 Close-up of pillow lava formations exposed in the wall of a new pit crater at West Mata.
             
The ROV explores vertical cliffs where a landslide occurred between 2010-2011 at West Mata.      

camera icon Dive Q332 The ROV explores vertical cliffs where a landslide occurred between 2010-2011 at West Mata.

 

 

 
             
Time-lapse views of densely packed crabs, shrimp, snails, eelpouts, and other vent animals at Mata Tolu. This small chimney is host to a diverse group of animals including snails, shrimp, hermit crabs, true crabs, and scaleworms.` A large extinct chimney with spires towers over a smaller active chimney at Mata Tolu. A complex of hydrothermal chimneys and their associated biological communities, seen at Mata Tolu.

camera icon Dive Q331 Time-lapse views of densely packed crabs, shrimp, snails, eelpouts, and other vent animals at Mata Tolu.

camera icon Dive Q331
This small chimney is host to a diverse group of animals including snails, shrimp, hermit crabs, true crabs, and scaleworms.

camera icon Dive Q331
A large extinct chimney with spires towers over a smaller active chimney at Mata Tolu.

camera icon Dive Q331
A complex of hydrothermal chimneys and their associated biological communities, seen at Mata Tolu.
             
At the base of this chimney at Mata Tolu colonies of white and blue snail are segregated, probably because of different temperature preferences. Close-up of a chimney spire covered in snails, shrimp, scaleworms, and crabs at Mata Tolu.    

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At the base of this chimney at Mata Tolu colonies of white and blue snail are segregated, probably because of different temperature preferences.

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Close-up of a chimney spire covered in snails, shrimp, scaleworms, and crabs at Mata Tolu.

 

 
             
The science team observes bubbling sulfur chimneys at the Niua North hydrothermal site at around 800 meters The ROV finds the source of the sulfur-rich plume as it rises out of the pit crater at Niua North. A gravid (with eggs) shrimp at Niua North hydrothermal vent site. A thick white sulfur-rich plume is emitted from the pit crater at Niua North.

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Sulfur-rich plumes billow out of the pit at Niua North.

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The ROV finds the source of the sulfur-rich plume as it rises out of the pit crater at Niua North.

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At least two species of shrimp graze on microbial mats on deposits of sulfur in the crater at Niua North.

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A thick white sulfur-rich plume is emitted from the pit crater at Niua North.
             
A shrimp with eggs visible beneath its translucent carapace. Close-up view of two different species of shrimp living at Niua North. A sediment sample is taken among a dense colony of live mussels at Niua North. The ROV uses a scoop net to collect mussels at Niua North, then shrimp swim out of the way during a transit, followed by a close view of a crab.

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A shrimp with eggs visible beneath its translucent carapace.

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Close-up view of two different species of shrimp living at Niua North.

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A sediment sample is taken among a dense colony of live mussels at Niua North.

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The ROV uses a scoop net to collect mussels at Niua North, then shrimp swim out of the way during a transit, followed by a close view of a crab.
             
Larger chimneys emitting smokey vent fluids at Mata Fitu are covered in stalked barnacles. Squat lobsters swim away as the ROV approaches a chimney with thin finger-like spires. Clusters of chimneys of different shapes, sizes and colors cover the slope at Mata Fitu. Pink scaleworms graze on the microbial mats living on the chimneys at Mata Fitu.

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Larger chimneys emitting smokey vent fluids at Mata Fitu are covered in stalked barnacles.

camera icon Dive Q329
Squat lobsters swim away as the ROV approaches a chimney with thin finger-like spires.

camera icon Dive Q329
Clusters of chimneys of different shapes, sizes and colors cover the slope at Mata Fitu.

camera icon Dive Q329
Pink scaleworms graze on the microbial mats living on the chimneys at Mata Fitu.
             
Clear hot vent fluids are supporting a diverse ecosystem on the active chimneys at Mata Fitu. Scientist observe the Mata Fitu vent community were they discovered several scale worms.    

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Clear hot vent fluids are supporting a diverse ecosystem on the active chimneys at Mata Fitu.

camera icon Dive Q329
Active sulfide chimneys at Mata Fitu resemble christmas trees after a recent snowfall. In this case, the white areas are microbial mats.

 

 
             
A group of chimneys, almost entirely covered in stalked barnacles, rises impressively above the seafloor at Mata Ua. Fly-through from the north to the south along the Northeast Lau basin. Black smoker vents at Mata Ua emit a turbulent stream of super-heated water and mineral particles. At Mata Ua, a cluster of stalked barnacles filter feed by waving their fan-like cirri to capture microscopic organisms suspended in the warm vent water.

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A group of chimneys, almost entirely covered in stalked barnacles, rises impressively above the seafloor at Mata Ua.

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Scientists discover black smoker chimneys on the second ROV dive at the Mata Ua volcano at a depth of 2,100 meters.

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Black smoker vents at Mata Ua emit a turbulent stream of super-heated water and mineral particles.

camera icon Dive Q328
At Mata Ua, a cluster of stalked barnacles filter feed by waving their fan-like cirri to capture microscopic organisms suspended in the warm vent water.
             
An enormous number of Opaepele shrimp have colonized West Mata since it was last seen erupting in 2009. A bizarre looking, 'hairy' crab of the genus Paralomis crawls out of a crack that is venting warm fluids at West Mata.    

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An enormous number of Opaepele shrimp have colonized West Mata since it was last seen erupting in 2009.

camera icon Dive Q327
A bizarre looking, 'hairy' crab of the genus Paralomis crawls out of a crack that is venting warm fluids at West Mata.

 

 
             
A group of chimneys, almost entirely covered in stalked barnacles, rises impressively above the seafloor at Mata Ua. The Quest 4000 ROV surveys a cluster of 20+ active chimneys, named Adelaide Spires by the science team. Smokey hydrothermal fluid billows from atop a large chimney at Niua South.  

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Hydrothermal fluid gushes from vents near the top of a chimney at Niua South.

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The Quest 4000 ROV surveys a cluster of 20+ active chimneys, named Adelaide Spires by the science team.

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Smokey hydrothermal fluid billows from atop a large chimney at Niua South.

 
             
A lone squat lobster clings to a rock at Mata Ua, indicating that the ROV was getting near to hydrothermal vents. Serpentine pillow lava tubes were encountered on the flanks of Mata Ua volcano.    

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A lone squat lobster clings to a rock at Mata Ua, indicating that the ROV was getting near to hydrothermal vents.

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Serpentine pillow lava tubes were encountered on the flanks of Mata Ua volcano.

 

 
             
A lone squat lobster clings to a rock at Mata Ua, indicating that the ROV was getting near to hydrothermal vents. Serpentine pillow lava tubes were encountered on the flanks of Mata Ua volcano.    

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The ROV climbs to the rim of the crater at the top of the central cone at Volcano O where hot shimmering water diffuses through the ash deposits.

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Microbially-produced gelatinous globules covered large areas of seafloor on the flanks of the cone of Volcano O.

 

 
             
A crab and snail are collected for research by the ROVs suction sampler. A forest of active and inactive chimneys hosts active vents with clusters of snails (2 species), limpets, crabs and shrimp. Fields of dead mussel shells, coated with a black manganese-oxide, littered the seafloor near sulfide chimneys at Fonualei Rift. Smoky hot vent fluid rises relatively calmly from a chimney at Fonualei Rift.

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A crab and snail are collected for research by the ROVs suction sampler.

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A forest of active and inactive chimneys hosts active vents with clusters of snails (2 species), limpets, crabs and shrimp.

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Fields of dead mussel shells, coated with a black manganese-oxide, littered the seafloor near sulfide chimneys at Fonualei Rift.

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Smoky hot vent fluid rises relatively calmly from a chimney at Fonualei Rift.
             
The ROV rises slowly to the top of one of the largest chimneys at Fonualei Rift. Some of the giant spires at Fonualei Rift reached 35-40 meters above the seafloor. A colorful array of chimney formations seen at 1,555m depth at Fonualei Rift.  

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The ROV rises slowly to the top of one of the largest chimneys at Fonualei Rift.

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Some of the giant spires at Fonualei Rift reached 35-40 meters above the seafloor.

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A colorful array of chimney formations seen at 1,555m depth at Fonualei Rift.

 
             
Microbial mats are sampled in a scoop by the ROV’s manipulator arm. The ROV measures the temperature of the vent fluids where microbial mats will be collected. The yellow areas are places where the underlying iron-oxide mat has extruded through the overlying black manganese-oxide mat. The ROV manipulator arm collects manganese and iron oxide mats with the 'Texas Scoop'

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Microbial mats are sampled in a scoop by the ROV’s manipulator arm.

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The ROV measures the temperature of the vent fluids where microbial mats will be collected.

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The yellow areas are places where the underlying iron-oxide mat has extruded through the overlying black manganese-oxide mat.

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The ROV uses a scoop sampler to collect mats of both types for DNA analysis.
             
The Quest 4000 ROV manipulator arm is used to probe the manganese-encrusted mats. The science team explores bacterial mats from the Vai Lili hydrothermal vent    

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The ROV’s manipulator arm probes the mat showing that the black mat is just a thin crust over the thicker fluffy yellow mat.

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Microbial mats of two types are found at this unusual vent site at Vai Lili. The black areas are a thin manganese-oxide mat over a thicker yellow iron-oxide mat.

 

 
             

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Images

The ROV Quest 4000 rises out of the water on its last dive of the Submarine Ring of Fire NE Lau Basin 2012 Expedition.

September 26 Log
The ROV Quest 4000 rises out of the water on its last dive of the Submarine Ring of Fire NE Lau Basin 2012 Expedition. (HD)

Submarine Ring of Fire NE Lau Basin 2012 Expedition Team on the bow of the R/V Roger Revelle.

September 26 Log
Submarine Ring of Fire NE Lau Basin 2012 Expedition Team on the bow of the R/V Roger Revelle. (HD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROV pilots work from video science lab to communicate with pilots in ROV control van on the deck of the R/V Roger Revelle.

September 25 Log
ROV pilots work from video science lab to communicate with pilots in ROV control van on the deck of the R/V Roger Revelle. (HD)

“Wow!” is the word at the 2012 USA Science and Technology Festival in Washington, DC.

September 25 Log
“Wow!” is the word at the 2012 USA Science and Technology Festival in Washington, DC. (HD)

Anabel Martinez prepares for samples to arrive in the lab from the ROV dive.

September 25 Log
Anabel Martinez prepares for samples to arrive in the lab from the ROV dive. (HD)

Anabel Martinez and Dr. Tim Shank (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) process samples after collection by the ROV.

September 25 Log
Anabel Martinez and Dr. Tim Shank (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) process samples after collection by the ROV. (HD)

Arrival of Abel Tasman in Tongatapu, 1643, drawing by Isaack Gilsemans.

September 24 Log
Arrival of Abel Tasman in Tongatapu, 1643, drawing by Isaack Gilsemans. (HD)

Map of Tonga.

September 24 Log
Map of Tonga. (HD)

Ha’amonga ‘a Maui, a stone trilith built in the 13th century in the north of the island of Tongatapu.

September 24 Log
Ha’amonga ‘a Maui, a stone trilith built in the 13th century in the north of the island of Tongatapu. (HD)

 

 

A great diversity of chimneys were seen at Mata Tolu.

September 23 Log
 A great diversity of chimneys were seen at Mata Tolu. (HD)

Side view of the N. Mata volcanoes at 2x vertical resolution. Mata Tolu is the third from the right.

September 23 Log
Side view of the N. Mata volcanoes at 2x vertical resolution.  Mata Tolu is the third from the right. (HD)

A huge (>1cm long) crystal of the mineral clinopyroxene from a very fresh volcanic rock sample.

September 23 Log
A huge (>1cm long) crystal of the mineral clinopyroxene from a very fresh volcanic rock sample. (HD)

Snails cluster around the base of a hydrothermal vent chimney at Mata Tolu.

September 23 Log
Snails cluster around the base of a hydrothermal vent chimney at Mata Tolu. (HD)

A great diversity of chimneys were seen at Mata Tolu.

September 23 Log
Close up of crabs and snails near chimneys at Mata Tolu. (HD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stalked barnacles on chimneys at Mata Fitu.

September 22 Log
Stalked barnacles on chimneys at Mata Fitu. (HD)

Some chimneys at Mata Fitu looked like Christmas trees.

September 22 Log
Some chimneys at Mata Fitu looked like Christmas trees. (HD)

Jets of sulfur shooting out from holes in the sediment-covered seafloor at Niua North.

September 22 Log
Jets of sulfur shooting out from holes in the sediment-covered seafloor at Niua North. (HD)

Carbon dioxide released into the water column as small droplets of liquid at Niua North.

September 22 Log
Carbon dioxide released into the water column as small droplets of liquid at Niua North.(HD)

A gravid (with eggs) shrimp at Niua North.

September 22 Log
A gravid (with eggs) shrimp at Niua North. (HD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A scale worm, only found at hydrothermal vent communities, imaged by the Quest 4000 at West Mata.

September 21 Log
A scale worm, only found at hydrothermal vent communities, imaged by the Quest 4000 at West Mata. (HD)

A large crab of the genus, Paralomis, crawls on the volcanic sediment and rock at West Mata.

September 21 Log
A large crab of the genus, Paralomis, crawls on the volcanic sediment and rock at West Mata. (HD)

Opaepele shrimp were the only fauna (other than a single zoarcid fish) observed in May 2009 on West Mata, as shown in abundance here at Shrimp City.

September 21 Log
Opaepele shrimp shown in abundance here at Shrimp City. (HD)

 

 

Scientist on board R/V Roger Revelle extracts water from one of the sample bottles in the CTD rosette.

September 20 Log
Scientist on board R/V Roger Revelle extracts water from one of the sample bottles in the CTD rosette. (HD)

Scientists in computer lab on board the R/V Roger Revelle examine multibeam and CTD data.

September 20 Log
Scientists in computer lab on board the R/V Roger Revelle examine multibeam and CTD data. (HD)

Barnacles and other vent animals were the first indicators that we were getting close to high-temperature vents.

September 20 Log
Barnacles and other vent animals were the first indicators that we were getting close to high-temperature vents. (HD)

Close-up view of the stalked barnacles filter-feeding with their white “citti”, that look like little palm fronds.

September 20 Log
Close-up view of the stalked barnacles filter-feeding with their white “citti”, that look like little palm fronds. (HD)

Two black smoker chimneys belch hot vent fluid up into the water column.

September 20 Log
Two black smoker chimneys belch hot vent fluid up into the water column. (HD)

A sulfide chimney with lower-temperature venting on the right is colonized by a thick coating of vent barnacles.

September 20 Log
A sulfide chimney with lower-temperature venting on the right is colonized by a thick coating of vent barnacles. (HD)

 

 

 

The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle.

September 19 Log
The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle. (HD)

The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle being deployed off the stern of the R/V Roger Revelle.

September 19 Log
The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle being deployed off the stern of the R/V Roger Revelle. (HD)

The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle collecting biological samples with suction sampler.

September 19 Log
The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle collecting biological samples with suction sampler. (HD)

The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle collecting geological samples with the manipulator claw.

September 19 Log
The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle collecting geological samples with the manipulator claw. (HD)

Imagery of a hydrothermal vent chimney with snails taken by the Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle in the NE Lau Basin.

September 19 Log
Imagery of a hydrothermal vent chimney with snails taken by the Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle in the NE Lau Basin. (HD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black smoke from the top of a chimney is carried “downwind” by the strong current in the vent field.

September 18 Log
Black smoke from the top of a chimney is carried “downwind” by the strong current in the vent field. (HD)

A close-up view of the two species of snails found at the Niua South.

September 18 Log
A close-up view of the two species of snails found at the Niua South. (HD)

At the Adelaide Spires vent field 20 or more active chimneys are so close they have grown together.

September 18 Log
At the Adelaide Spires vent field 20 or more active chimneys are so close they have grown together. (HD)

The Quest 4000 ROV prepares to use a “gastight” vent fluid sampler.

September 18 Log
The Quest 4000 ROV prepares to use a “gastight” vent fluid sampler. (HD)

Map showing West and East Mata Volcanoes in the NE Lau Basin.

September 17 Log
Map showing West and East Mata Volcanoes in the NE Lau Basin. (HD)

The hydrophone is finally recovered from the seafloor near West Mata.

September 17 Log
The hydrophone is finally recovered from the seafloor near West Mata. (HD)

Lowering the buoy attached to the mooring as the hydrophone and other instrumentation near W. Mata is recovered.

September 17 Log
Lowering the buoy attached to the mooring as the hydrophone and other instrumentation near W. Mata is recovered. (HD)

 

 

Map of four of the seven N. Mata Volcanoes. Mata Ua, location of our dive is noted.

September 16 Log
Map of four of the seven N. Mata Volcanoes. Mata Ua, location of our dive is noted. (HD)

Pillow lava tubes among sediment and lava rock along summit at Mata Ua.

September 16 Log
Pillow lava tubes among sediment and lava rock along summit at Mata Ua. (HD)

Quest 4000 ROV collects a rock sample among pillow lava at Mata Ua.

September 16 Log
Quest 4000 ROV collects a rock sample among pillow lava at Mata Ua. (HD)

A squat lobster at Mata Ua.

September 16 Log
A squat lobster at Mata Ua. (HD)

Drs. Richard Arculus (Australian National University) and Tim Shank (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) observe samples collected at Mata Ua.

September 16 Log
Drs. Richard Arculus and Tim Shank observe samples collected at Mata Ua. (HD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A hot vent (255 degrees C) near the top of a 38-m-high sulfide chimney in the Loloa Kakai vent field.

September 15 Log
A hot vent (255 degrees C) near the top of a 38-m-high sulfide chimney in the Loloa Kakai vent field. (HD)

These gelatinous globules covered large areas of the seafloor.

September 15 Log
These gelatinous globules covered large areas of the seafloor. (HD)

Sulfur-rich layer coating lava ash at Volcano O.

September 15 Log
Taking a sample of hot water with a titanium syringe sampler. (HD)

 

 

Volcano O, a huge caldera in the NE Lau basin. Image looks toward the north, 2 times vertically exaggerated.

September 14 Log
Volcano O, a huge caldera in the NE Lau basin. Image looks toward the north, 2 times vertically exaggerated. (HD)

Satellite altimetry and multibeam sonar image of Volcano O.

September 14 Log
Satellite altimetry and multibeam sonar image of Volcano O. (HD)

Sulfur-rich layer coating lava ash at Volcano O.

September 14 Log
Sulfur-rich layer coating lava ash at Volcano O.(HD)

Sulfur deposited on the cone flanks and surrounding areas gives the appearance of a snow storm.

September 14 Log
Sulfur deposited on the cone flanks and surrounding areas gives the appearance of a snow storm.

The rim of the pit crater at the cone volcano in the caldera of Volcano O.

September 14 Log
The rim of the pit crater at the cone volcano in the caldera of Volcano O.

 

 

 

 

 

Large chimneys discovered at Fonualei Rift. These spires formed close to each other at a depth of 1,555 m.

September 13 Log
Large chimneys discovered at Fonualei Rift. These spires formed close to each other at a depth of 1,555 m. (HD)

Multibeam sonar image of Fonualei Rift and dive site.

September 13 Log
Multibeam sonar image of Fonualei Rift and dive site. (HD)

A site at Fonualei Rift revealed large expanses of dead mussel shells.

September 13 Log
A site at Fonualei Rift revealed large expanses of dead mussel shells. (HD)

Snails, commonly referred to as hairy snails, clustered on a sulfide chimney at Fonualei Rift.

September 13 Log
Snails, commonly referred to as hairy snails, clustered on a sulfide chimney at Fonualei Rift. (HD)

'Texas Scoop' held by the manipulator claw of Quest 4000 while scooping up bacterial mats at Vai Lili.

September 12 Log
“Texas Scoop” held by the manipulator claw of Quest 4000 while scooping up bacterial mats at Vai Lili.

Bacterial mats with crinoids, soft corals and other organisms.

September 12 Log
Bacterial mats with crinoids, soft corals and other organisms.

Scientists watch video in real time sent from Quest 4000 to the Video Viewing Lab

September 12 Log
Bacterial mat lies on top of rock structure at Vai Lili.

 

 

Bacterial mat lies on top of rock structure at Vai Lili.

September 11 Log
Bacterial mat lies on top of rock structure at Vai Lili.

The University of Bremen-based Quest 4000 ROV team lowers the vehicle over the stern of the R/V Roger Revelle for its first dive of the expedition.

September 11 Log
The University of Bremen-based Quest 4000 ROV team lowers the vehicle over the stern of the R/V Revelle.

Scientists watch video in real time sent from Quest 4000 to the Video Viewing Lab

September 11 Log
Scientists watch video in real time sent from Quest 4000 to the Video Viewing Lab.

 

 

The University of Bremen-based Quest 4000 ROV team prepares the vehicle for its first dive.

September 10 Log
The University of Bremen-based Quest 4000 ROV team prepares the vehicle for its first dive.

Double Scoop (left) and Texas Scoop (right).

September 10 Log
Double Scoop (left) and Texas Scoop (right).

Did you know? Molecular structures of some mainstay drugs – directly isolated, or based on, microbial natural products.

September 10 Log
Special syringe that will be held and triggered by the manipulator claw of Quest 4000 to collect sediment samples for microbes at Vai Lili.

 

 

The Fijian and U.S. flags fly high atop the mast of the R/V Roger Revelle while in port in Suva, Fiji.

September 9 Log
The Fijian and U.S. flags fly high atop the mast of the R/V Roger Revelle while in port in Suva, Fiji.

Scientists on the NE Lau Basin Exploration Team unpack and set up equipment.

September 9 Log
Scientists on the NE Lau Basin Exploration Team unpack and set up equipment.

The U.S. Ambassador, Ms. Frankie Reed (fourth from left), joins Chief Scientists, Drs. Joe Resing (second from right) and Robert Embley (right), the ship’s Captain, Wes Hill (left) and students from the University of the South Pacific as they board the R/V Roger Revelle

September 9 Log
The U.S. Ambassador joins scientists the ship’s captain and students from the University of the South Pacific on the R/V Revelle.

Beautiful large tubeworms, some of which we collected were a meter in length and an centimeter in diameter.

Daily Updates
Beautiful large tubeworms, some of which we collected were a meter in length and an centimeter in diameter. (HD)

Snails, crabs and scale worms on a chimney at Mata Tolu.

Daily Updates
Snails, crabs and scale worms on a chimney at Mata Tolu. (HD)

Dense concentrations of shrimp, many of which were gravid (egg bearing) at West Mata.

Daily Updates
Dense concentrations of shrimp, many of which were gravid (egg bearing) at West Mata. (HD)

The tops of two active chimneys discovered at Niua South.

Daily Updates
The tops of two active chimneys discovered at Niua South. (HD)

Niua Seamount is a strange but exciting place.

Daily Updates
Niua Seamount is a strange but exciting place. (HD)

Scientists and crew on starboard side of R/V Roger Revelle standing by to recover the buoy and mooring.

Daily Updates
Scientists and crew on starboard side of R/V Roger Revelle standing by to recover the buoy and mooring. (HD)

Mata Tolu at about 1,820m depth is one of the shallowest of the Northern Matas.

Daily Updates
Mata Tolu at about 1,820m depth is one of the shallowest of the Northern Matas. (HD)

We have at least three targets in the northern Matas which are named consecutively from south to north

Daily Updates
We have at least three targets in the northern Matas which are named consecutively from south to north. (HD)

Clusters of what appear to be polysaccharide sacs on the seafloor

Daily Updates
Clusters of what appear to be polysaccharide sacs on the seafloor. (HD)

Bathymetric map showing main features of Volcano O.

Daily Updates
Bathymetric map showing main features of Volcano O. (HD)

Large chimneys discovered at Fonualei Rift.

Daily Updates
Large chimneys discovered at Fonualei Rift. (HD)

Scientists map a new underwater caldera, dubbed First Volcano, discovered using multibeam sonar.

Daily Updates
Scientists map a new underwater caldera, dubbed First Volcano, discovered using multibeam sonar.

The science team meets with the ROV team to discuss video and navigation displays for the Quest 4000 ROV.

Daily Updates
The science team meets with the ROV team to discuss video and navigation displays for the Quest 4000 ROV.

Orange material, which is iron oxide encrusted microbial mats and minerals, with a soft coral visible in the distance.

Daily Updates
Orange material, which is iron oxide encrusted microbial mats and minerals, with a soft coral visible in the distance.

Orange material, which is iron oxide encrusted microbial mats and minerals, with a soft coral visible in the distance.

Daily Updates
Bathymetric map of Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center.

Scientists map a new underwater caldera, dubbed First Volcano, discovered using multibeam sonar.

Daily Updates
Map of Vai Lili dive and sample sites.

The science team meets with the ROV team to discuss video and navigation displays for the Quest 4000 ROV.

Daily Updates
The Fijian and U.S. flags fly high atop the mast of the R/V Roger Revelle while in port in Suva, Fiji.

Did you know? Molecular structures of some mainstay drugs – directly isolated, or based on, microbial natural products.

Pharmacology
Did you know? Molecular structures of some mainstay drugs – directly isolated, or based on, microbial natural products. (HR)

Syringe sampler used by ROV manipulators to collect microbial mat samples.

Pharmacology
Syringe sampler used by ROV manipulators to collect microbial mat samples. (HR)

Laboratory cultures of deep-sea vent microbes: isolation and purification of organisms on solid agar media.

Pharmacology
Laboratory cultures of deep-sea vent microbes: isolation and purification of organisms. (HR)

 

 

Microbial mats coated in white sulfate material were observed and sampled at several vent sites at West Mata in 2009.

Microbiology
Microbial mats coated in white sulfate material were observed and sampled at several vent sites at West Mata in 2009. (HR)

The orangish-brown material is iron oxide encrusted microbial mats, often observed at low-temperature hydrothermal vents.

Microbiology
The orangish-brown material is iron oxide encrusted microbial mats, often observed at low-temperature hydrothermal vents. (HR)

The grayish black material is manganese oxide encrusted microbial mats and minerals.

Microbiology
The grayish black material is manganese oxide encrusted microbial mats and minerals. (HR)

 

 

A closeup of a CTD, the primary tool used to map hydrothermal plumes.

Hydrothermal Vent Plumes
A closeup of a CTD, the primary tool used to map hydrothermal plumes. (HR)

Results from a CTD tow-yo over Mata Fitu in 2010.

Hydrothermal Vent Plumes
Results from a CTD tow-yo over Mata Fitu in 2010. (HR)

 

 

 

 

An area on the summit of the West Mata Volcano erupting in 2009.

Submarine Volcanoes
An area on the summit of the West Mata Volcano erupting in 2009. (HR)

The cooled pillow lava seen here forms when eruptions spread at relatively low rates.

Submarine Volcanoes
The cooled "pillow" lava seen here forms when eruptions spread at relatively low rates. (HR)

 

 

 

 

The inset in the top left shows the SRoF’12 - NE Lau basin proposed remotely operated vehicle dive sites and expedition track. (HR)

Mission Plan
The inset in the top left shows the SRoF’12 - NE Lau basin proposed remotely operated vehicle dive sites and expedition track. (HR)

This illustration shows the Pacific plate in the east colliding with the Indo-Australian plate in the west.

Mission Plan
This illustration shows the Pacific plate in the east colliding with the Indo-Australian plate in the west. (HR)

The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle will be utilized on the SRoF’12 – NE Lau expedition. (HR)

Mission Plan
The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle will be utilized on the SRoF’12 – NE Lau expedition. (HR)

The inset in the top left shows the SRoF’12 - NE Lau basin proposed remotely operated vehicle dive sites and expedition track. (HR)

Mission Plan
Tectonic features of the Lau Basin overlaid on satellite altimetry data. (HR)

 

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