Image Archive

A Pacific Flatnose swims above a sheet flow (lava) on the summit of Axial Seamount. UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1712; V14.

A beautiful sea urchin sits on a young lava flow at the summit of Axial Seamount. Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1712; V14.

Ben Brand (Univ. of Washington) teaches UW students Don Setiawan and Krista Nunnally to prepare the bungie cords used to tie down the spooled cable's end to the outer part of the ROCLS frame.  O-rings provide an easy grab for the ROV's manipulator arm. Photo credit: Leslie Sautter, College of Charleston, V14.

University of Washington, School of Oceanography students watch the first CTD operation on the R/V Thompson. Here, they learn how to safely handle lines, sample ocean water, and conduct analyes onboard once the CTD returns to the deck. Photo Credit: Mitch Elend, University of Washington, V14.

A temperature-resistivity instrument (analogue for chlorinity) is ready for installation in the International Vent Field at Axial Seamount during Leg 1 of the VISIONS'14 expedition. Photo Credit: Don Setiawan, University of Washington, V14.

A broadband seismometer and hydrophone are rigged for installation at the summit of Axial Seamount during VISIONS'14. University of Washington, V14.

Our sister ship, the R/V Atlantis, working 1.5- to 3-km away from us at the summit of Axia Seamount during the first week of VISIONS'14. The Atlantis effort is focusing on the ASHES hydrothermal field, where we installed an underwater high-definition camera and 3D temperature array last year. Photo Credit: Ed McNichol, Mumbian Enterprises, Inc., V14

This beautiful image of global weather conditions is a screen shot from the http://earth.nullschool.net site. The green circle shows the approximate location of Axial Seamount. Over July 15-16, the wind shifted from westerly to northerly and increased from ~12-16 kts to 22-27 kts . Wind waves increased from ~3’ to 5-6’ during that time. The forecast is for the wind to remain sustained from 25-30 kts from the north and wind waves from 2-3m (6-10’) until Friday morning, when the wind should both shift direction and drop to ~10 kts.

An extension cable, nearly 5 km-long awaits installation at the summit of Axial Seamount. This cable will extend from Primary Node PN3B to the Central Caldera site where it will connect to a medium power junction box hosting a broadband seismometer, hydrophone, and bottom pressure tilt meter.

A red jellyfish swims 5000 ft beneath the ocean's surface at Axial Seamount on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Here, most animals swim slowly to conserve energy in the nearly freezing seawater. Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1712; V14.

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) ROPOS begins its first science dive at Axial Seamount of VISIONS'14. An empty junction box is attached beneath the ROV's 'belly'. Photo Credit: Mitch Elend, University of Washington, V14.

An assemblage of animals (a rattail fish, spider crabs and holothurians) forage at 5000 ft beneath the ocean's surface at the summit of Axial Seamount. Here, hackly lavas make for rough going for animals. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1712; V14.

The first sunset of VISIONS '14 Leg 1 on the Strait of Juan de Fuca was one to remember. Photo credit: Christina Ramirez, University of Washington, V14.

University of Washington students from Leg 1 brave the cold wind, rain and rough seas while on the bow's deck of the R/V Thomas G. Thompson, Leg 1 of VISIONS '14. Photo credit: Christina Ramirez, University of Washington, V14.

The bow of the R/V Thomas G. Thomson slices through the waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait, initiating Leg 1 of VISIONS '14. Photo credit: Christina Ramirez, University of Washington, V14.

Fire door at a passageway entrance on board the R/V Thomas G. Thompson. Photo credit: Charles Garcia, University of Washington, V14.

Viewed from the bow of the R/V Thompson, the sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains was a serene scene, and a great way to kick off the VISIONS '14 3-month Expedition. Photo credit:  Landung (Don) Setiawan, University of Washington, V14

Friedrich Knuth, a graduate student at the College of Charleston, models the latest in ocean survival wear. Photo credit: Mitch Elend, University of Washington, V14.

The final game of the 2014 World Cup (Germany vs. Argentina) was in action the VISIONS '14 expedition pulled away from the Seattle dock.  Following one of the safety drills, Univeristy of Washington and College of Charleston participants watched the exciting match. Photo credit: Leslie Sautter, College of Charleston, V14.

University of Washington students Krista Nunnally, Gina Hansen and Sam Albertson show their excitement for going to sea aboard the R/V Thompson at the start of the VISIONS '14 Expedition. Photo Credit: Leslie Sautter, College of Charleston, V14.

On the transit out to Axial Volcano, a short stop was made to conduct a "Dunk Test" with the ROV ROPOS to ensure all was ready to go upon arrival at Axial Seamount. Image Credit: Mitch Elend, University of Washington, V14.

Sam Albertson, Don Setiawan, and Katie Bigham look out to the west, awaiting the departure of the R/V Thompson from Seattle. Photo Credit: Mitch Elend, University of Washington V14.

University of Washington, School of Oceanography undergraduate, Jesse Turner, practises getting into a "gumby" suit during a safety meeting onboard the R/ V Thomas G. Thompson. Photo Credit: Mitch Elend, University of Washington, V14.

Panoramic view of the R/V Thompson fantail as it departs for Axial Seamount on the VISIONS'14 OOI expedition. Green-sided frames are junction boxes that will be installed at the volcano and they willl host myriad instruments. The central drum holds yellow extension cable that will connect one of the juction boxes to  Primary Node 3B, providing power and bandwith to this subsea observatory. Photo credit: Skip Denny, University of Washington, V14

The first night of VISIONS'14 on the R/V Thompson at Pier 90, downtown Seattle, was blessed with beautiful skies and a super moon.

VISIONS'14 students onboard the R/V Thompson their first night. From left to right: Don Setiawan, Gina Hansen, Jesse Turner, Kaite Bingham, Sam Albertson, Krista Nunnally, and Charles Garcia.

Mobilizing ROPOS at Pier 90 in Seattle, July 11, 2014 Photo credit: Debbie Kelley, University of Washington