Today is our second dive at Site 2a. This area has the most intense hydrothermal plume signal in the water column of any areas explored during Leg I. While ROV operations found plenty of evidence that the area is quite active, a combination of factors make it quite difficult to pinpoint the source of the extensive plume.

Today is our second dive at Site 2a. This area has the most intense hydrothermal plume signal in the water column of any areas explored during Leg I. While ROV operations found plenty of evidence that the area is quite active, a combination of factors make it quite difficult to pinpoint the source of the extensive plume. Image courtesy of NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Galápagos Rift Expedition 2011. Download larger version (jpg, 632 KB).

An elusive plume source
July 16, 2011

Today is our second dive at Site 2a. This area has the most intense hydrothermal plume signal in the water column of any areas explored during Leg I. While ROV operations found plenty of evidence that the area is quite active, a combination of factors make it quite difficult to pinpoint the source of the extensive plume.