Submarine Ring of Fire 2012: Northeast Lau Basin

Submarine Ring of Fire 2012: Northeast Lau Basin

Image and Video Gallery

This page contains photos and videos associated with the Submarine Ring of Fire 2012: Northeast Lau Basin expedition. Click on any image or video to view a larger version and for additional information.

Niua North hydrothermal vent plumes and marine life.

Niua North Highlights

Niua North hydrothermal vent plumes and marine life.

Chimneys at Mata Fitu looked like Christmas trees.

Mata Fitu Highlights

Chimneys at Mata Fitu looked like Christmas trees.

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

Mata Ua Highlights

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

The science team explores bacterial mats at Vai Lili.

Vai Lili Highlights

The science team explores bacterial mats at Vai Lili.

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

N-S Fly-through

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

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

S-N Fly-through

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

3D images slideshow of the Submarine Ring of Fire 2012

3D Image Slideshow

3D images slideshow of the Submarine Ring of Fire 2012

ROV dive highlight image collection.

Highlight Slideshow

ROV dive highlight image collection.

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

Shimmering Vent Fluid Marine Life

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.

"Beehive" Chimneys

'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.

White Scaleworm Free-Swimming

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.

Truncated Pillow Lava

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

Swarming Shrimp

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

Close-up of pillow lava formations exposed in the wall of a new pit crater at West Mata.

Pillow Lava Wall Formations

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.

Vertical Cliff Formations

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.

Time Lapse Chimney Spire Vent Life

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.

Chimney Spire Scaleworm

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.

Extinct Chimney Spires

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.

Biological Communities

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.

Snail's Temperature Differences

At the base of this chimney at Mata Tolu, colonies of white and blue snail are segregated.

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

Chimney Spire Marine Life

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

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

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

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

Dense Particle Plume

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

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

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

A thick white sulfur-rich plume is emitted from the pit crater at Niua North.

Dense Particle Plume II

A thick white sulfur-rich plume is emitted from the pit crater at Niua North.

A shrimp with eggs visible beneath its translucent carapace.

Shrimp Carapace

A shrimp with eggs visible beneath its translucent carapace.

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

Hydrothermal Vent Shrimp

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.

Hydrothermal Mussel Beds

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.

ROV Mussels Sampling

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 smoky vent fluids at Mata Fitu are covered in stalked barnacles.

Mata Fitu - Black Smoker

Larger chimneys emitting smoky 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.

Mata Fitu - Chimney Spire

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.

Mata Fitu - Chimney Clusters

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.

Mata Fitu - Pink Scaleworms

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.

Mata Fitu - Hot Vent Fluids

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

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

Mata Fitu - Sulfide Chimneys

Active sulfide chimneys at Mata Fitu resemble christmas trees after a recent snowfall.

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

Stalked Barnacles Chimney Spire

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

Scientists discover black smoker chimneys on the second ROV dive at the Mata Ua hydrothermal site at around 2,100 meters in depth.

Scientists discover black smoker chimneys on the second ROV dive at the Mata Ua hydrothermal site at around 2,100 meters in depth.

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

Black Smoker Marine Life

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.

Stalked Barnacle Bush Cluster

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.

Opaepele Shrimp

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.

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

Hydrothermal fluid gushes from vents near the top of a chimney at Niua South. It looks like smoke due to the presence of tiny mineral particles that are precipitating as the hot vent fluid mixes with colder seawater.

Smoky Hydrothermal Fluids

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

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

Adeliede Spires

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

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

Smoky 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.

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.

Serpentine Pillow Lava Tubes

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

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.

Crater Central Cone Sulfur Clouds

The ROV climbs to the rim of the crater at the top of the central cone at Volcano O.

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

Microbially-produced Gelatinous Globules

Microbially-produced gelatinous globules covered large areas of seafloor.

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

Snail Cluster Sampling

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. Even the crabs back is coated with black manganese-oxide.

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

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

Black Manganese-Oxide Mussel Shells

Fields of dead mussel shells, coated with a black manganese-oxide, littered the seafloor.

Smoky hot vent fluid rises relatively calmly from a chimney at Fonualei Rift. These structures form and grow as minerals from hydrothermal fluids precipitate on contact with the near-freezing water.

Chimney Spire Venting

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.

Fonualei's Largest Chimney Spire

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.

Spires of Loloa Kakai "Tall People"

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.

Big Chimney Formations

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

Scientists look for a good location to sample the unusually thick bacterial mats with specialized scoops that were engineered for just that purpose at Oregon University.

Bacterial Mat Sampling

Scientists look for a good location to sample the unusually thick bacterial mats.

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

Temperature Probe

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.

Black Manganese-Oxide Mats

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” with hopes of DNA sequencing the samples.

“Texas Scoop” DNA Sampler

The ROV manipulator arm collects manganese and iron oxide mats with the “Texas Scoop” with hopes of DNA sequencing the samples.

The Quest 4000 ROV manipulator arm is used to probe the manganese-encrusted mats. It is oftentimes difficult to visually discern the difference between black basaltic/silicic rock and the mats without investigation.

Investigating Bacterial Mats

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, located on the central Valu Fa Ridge in the Lau Basin.

Manganese Encrusted Mats

The science team explores bacterial mats from the Vai Lili hydrothermal vent, located on the central Valu Fa Ridge in the Lau Basin.

Last Dive

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

Expedition Team

Expedition Team

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

ROV Team

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

Technology Festival

Technology Festival

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

Preparing Samples

Preparing Samples

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

Processing Samples

Processing Samples

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

Tongatapu Explorers

Tongatapu Explorers

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

Tonga

Stone Trilith

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

Mata Tolu Chimneys

Mata Tolu Chimneys

A great diversity of chimneys were seen at Mata Tolu.

N. Mata Volcanoes

N. Mata Volcanoes

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

Crystal

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

Chimney Snails

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

Crabs and Snails

Crabs and Snails

Close up of crabs and snails near chimneys at Mata Tolu.

Stalked Barnacles

Stalked Barnacles

Stalked barnacles on chimneys at Mata Fitu.

Christmas Tree Chimneys

Christmas Tree Chimneys

Some chimneys at Mata Fitu looked like Christmas trees.

Sulfur Jets

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

CO₂ Bubbles

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

September 22 Log

A gravid (with eggs) shrimp at Niua North.

Scaleworm

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

Hairy Crab

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

September 21 Log

Opaepele shrimp shown in abundance here at Shrimp City.

Water Extraction

Water Extraction

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

Computer Lab

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

A “Bush” of Barnacles

A “Bush” of Barnacles

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

Stalked Barnacles

Stalked Barnacles

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

Black Smoker Chimneys

Black Smoker Chimneys

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

Sulfide Chimney

Sulfide Chimney

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

Quest 4000

The Quest 4000 remotely operated vehicle.

September 19 Log

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

Suction Sampler

Suction Sampler

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

Manipulator Claw

Manipulator Claw

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

Vent Snails

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

Black Smoker

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

September 18 Log

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

Adelaide Spires

Adelaide Spires

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

Gastight Sampler

Gastight Sampler

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

Volcano Map

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

Hydrophone

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

Lowering the Buoy

Lowering the Buoy

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

Volcano Map

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

Lava Tubes

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

Rock Sample

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

Squat Lobster

A squat lobster at Mata Ua.

Observimg Samples

Observimg Samples

Drs. Richard Arculus and Tim Shank observe samples collected at Mata Ua.

Hot Vent

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

Gelatinous Globules

Gelatinous Globules

These gelatinous globules covered large areas of the seafloor.

Syringe Sampler

Syringe Sampler

Taking a sample of hot water with a titanium syringe sampler.

Volcano O

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

Altimetry and Multibeam Sonar

Altimetry and Multibeam Sonar

Satellite altimetry and multibeam sonar image of Volcano O.

Lava Ash

Sulfur-rich layer coating lava ash at Volcano O.

Sulfur Like Snow

Sulfur Like Snow

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

Crater Rim Plume

Crater Rim Plume

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

Fonualei Rift Chimneys

Fonualei Rift Chimneys

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

Fonualei Rift Site

Fonualei Rift Site

Multibeam sonar image of Fonualei Rift and dive site.

Dead Mussel Shells

Dead Mussel Shells

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

Hairy Snails

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

September 12 Log

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

Bacterial Organisms

Bacterial Organisms

Bacterial mats with crinoids, soft corals and other organisms.

Bacterial Mat

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

More bacterial mats

More Bacterial Mats

More bacterial mats at Vai Lili.

Deployment

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

Video Viewing Lab

Video Viewing Lab

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

First Dive

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

Scoops

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

Sediment Syringe

Sediment Syringe

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

Flags Fly

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

Lab Equipment

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

Students and Crew

Students and Crew

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

Tubeworms

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

Mata Tolu Biology

Mata Tolu Biology

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

West Mata Shrimp

West Mata Shrimp

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

Smokers Close-up

Smokers Close-up

The tops of two active chimneys discovered at Niua South.

Niua Seamount

Niua Seamount is a strange but exciting place.

Buoy Recovery

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

Mata Tolu

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

Three Targets

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

Daily Updates

Polysaccharide Sacs

Clusters of what appear to be polysaccharide sacs on the seafloor.

Volcano O

Bathymetric map showing main features of Volcano O.

Fonualei Rift Chimneys

Fonualei Rift Chimneys

Large chimneys discovered at Fonualei Rift.

First Volcano

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

Displays

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

Iron Oxide Mats

Iron Oxide Mats

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

Fonualei Rift Map

Fonualei Rift Map

Bathymetric map of Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center.

Vai Lili Map

Map of Vai Lili dive and sample sites.

Molecular Structures

Molecular Structures

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

Collecting Mat Samples

Collecting Mat Samples

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

Lab Cultures

Laboratory cultures of deep-sea vent microbes: isolation and purification of organisms.

White Sulfate Mats

White Sulfate Mats

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

Red Rock Ridge

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

Manganese Oxide Mats

Manganese Oxide Mats

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

Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth

Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth

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

CTD Results

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

Submarine Volcano Eruption

Submarine Volcano Eruption

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

Pillow Lava

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

Dive Sites

The inset in the top left shows the SRoF’12 - Northeast Lau Basin proposed remotely operated vehicle dive sites and expedition track.

Pacific Plate

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

Quest 4000

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

Tectonic Features

Tectonic Features

Tectonic features of the Lau Basin overlaid on satellite altimetry data.