Image of an active hydrothermal vent (left) located SE of the central Von Damm hydrothermal field seen at the very end of our last dive at the MCR. Note the filaments of bacteria and hydrothermal shrimp in the immediate vicinity of the active fluid flow.

Image of an active hydrothermal vent (left) located SE of the central Von Damm hydrothermal field seen at the very end of our last dive at the MCR. Note the filaments of bacteria and hydrothermal shrimp in the immediate vicinity of the active fluid flow. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, MCR Expedition 2011. Download larger version (jpg, 1.3 MB).

Exploring 'Mount Doom'
August 14, 2011

Today started with a visit to 'Mount Doom' – a tall conical mountain about 1000m from the Von Damm vent site and similar in size and shape. Although no active venting was encountered on Mount Doom, a return trip to the Von Damm site approaching from the East encountered more tube worms and a new site of active venting outside the previously explored area, almost doubling the total extent of venting now known at the site.