Image Archive

A 'frozen' lava lake is captured by the cameras on the ROV Jason at the summit of Axial Seamount. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/WHOI, V18.

A beautiful ropey, jumbled sheet flow covers the seafloor at ~1500 m beneath the oceans' surface at the summit of Axial Seamount. The lava was erupted in April 2011. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/WHOI; J2-980; V17.

Tubeworms with red plumes grow on the side of an odd basalt formation formed as part of a fossilized lava lake at the summit of Axial Seamount in 2011. Depth is ~1500 m. UW/OOI-NSF/WHOI; J2-980; V17.

A skylight in the April 2011 lava flows shows where lava had drained out in the subsurface, leaving a cavern. The front porch of the ROV Jason is in the foregound. UW/OOI-NSF/WHOI; J2-980; V17.

The ROV Jason looks into the remnants of where a lava pond once formed. Most of the roof has subsequently collaped. Water depthe here is ~ 1500 m. UW/OOI-NSF/WHOI; J2-980; V17.

A fossilized whirl in a lava lake that was active during the April 2011 eruption of Axial Seamount. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/WHOI; J2-980; V17.

During Jason Dive J2-980, the remnants of multiple lava lakes from the April 2011 eruption of Axial Seamount were encountered. The bathtub rings mark the progressive lowering of the "lake". Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/WHOI; J2-980; V17.

Columns in a collapsed area that once hosted a lava lake are reminiscent of an ancient city. Rings mark lowering of the lake as lava drained out. Fossilized drips of lava are preserved hanging from the ceiling. A rattail fish explores the site. This is part of the 2011 eruption at Axial. Credit: UW/OO-NSF/WHOI; J2-980; V17.

Skadis Cauldron, which was venting huge masses of microbial material and fluid following the 2011 eruption, still emits minor flow of cloudy fluid three years after this event. Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/ISS; V15 Dive R1839.

Collapse basins marked by columns, drainback features, and arches are common features in areas where lava ponded and spilled rapidly over the seafloor in 2011. A small, 1-day old chimlet sprouts from the 280°C, gas-rich vent called Dive in the International District Hydrothermal Field. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1839; V15.

Beautiful striated pillow basalts form a thick flow on the floor of Axial Seamount. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1630; V13

A small spider crab walks gingerly across a broken, very glassy lava flow at the summit of Axial Volcano. Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF.

Beautiful sheet flow swirl with broken hackly edges. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; V13.

Samples of fresh basalt were collected from Axial Seamount's caldera floor.  When fresh, the outer surface of the rock is glassy due to the very rapid cooling and crystallization that occurs when the hot lava comes in contact with the 2oC seawater.  This glass - known as obsidian - is very sharp and crumbles easily. (Photos by Leslie Sautter)

Crabs eating. VISIONS '13, LEG 3 Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF

Many of the collapse areas have lava pillars that support remnants of the roof that originally covered a lava pond. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1608; V13.

A small flapjack octopus (one of the species of the genus Opisthoteuthis) doesn't seem to mind being on camera. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1608, V13.