Image Archive

Tripod mounted CTD and optical attenuation sensors on the seafloor at the Axial Base site (2600m deep). Junction box LJ03A is visible in the background. Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

A bizarre sponge, Chondrocladia lampadiglobus, seen at Axial Base (2600m deep). First seen in 1960 in grainy black and white pictures, it was originally thought to be a Russian listening device by the US Navy, before it was eventually identified as an organism. Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

Two rattails, a Peniagone sea cucumber, and many ophiuroids at the Axial Base site (2600 meters). Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

Removing the pins holding the descent weights onto the HPIES platform at Axial Base. Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

The HPIES (Horizontal Electrometer Pressure Inverted Echosounder) instrument on the seafloor at Axial Base site (2600m depth). Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

A spider crab encountered at the Axial Base site (2600m deep) during a cable survey. Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

A sea pen, a colonial marine cnidarian belonging to the order Pennatulacea, seen at the Axial Base site (2600m depth) during a cable survey. Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

A dumbo octopus (Grimpoteuthis) at the Axial Base site at 2600 m water depth. Identified by cephalopod experts Stephanie Bush (MBARI) and Mike Vecchione (Smithsonian) Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF, Dive R1739, V14.

introtohydrothermalvents

APL/RSN engineer Eric Boget gently lowers the deep profiler package into the water during the mooring deployment. Photo Credit: Ed McNichol, Mumbian Enterprises, Inc.

APL/RSN engineers attaching the deep profiler vehicle to the mooring line during deployment at the Axial Base site. Photo Credit: Ed McNichol, Mumbian Enterprises, Inc.

The deployment of the HPIES (Horizontal Electrometer Pressure Inverted Echosounder) instrument off the fantail of the Thompson at the Axial Base site. The instrument was designed to freefall to the seafloor from the surface, and did so successfully. Photo Credit: Ed McNichol, Mumbian Enterprises, Ltd.

Eleven students from the University of Washington, University of Oregon, and Boston University are participating on Leg 2 of the VISIONS'14 expedition as part of the School of Oceanography experiential learning course 'Ocean 411'. Also shown is John Delaney (Chief Scientist - University of Washington) and Kendra Daly (Co-Chief Scientist - University of South Florida). Photo Credit: Ed McNichol, University of Washington, and Mumbian Enterprises; V14.

A crinoid on a stalk at the Axial Base site, 2600m depth. Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

The HPIES experiment about to be dropped to the seafloor from the surface. It is kept balanced by a series of weights attached to the bottom, so the equipment doesn't tip over on its way down.

An RSN deep profiler is prepared by engineers on board the Thompson to be deployed to study the deep ocean.

A Pacific Flatnose fish seen on arrival at the Axial Base site (2600m) during Dive R1739. Cable AXVMW3 is seen on the left. Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive 1739, V14

The HPIES instrument is being lowered over the side of the R/V Thompson for installation at the base of Axial Seamount. The HPIES (Horizontal Electrometer Pressure Inverted Echosounder) measures the horizontal electrical field, the bottom pressure, and the acoustic travel time from the seafloor to the sea surface to characterize the properties of the water column.

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Southern Hydrate Ridge is located ~ 100 km west of Newport Oregon at a water depth of 780 m. Credit: University of Washiington, Center for Environmental Visualization.

The carbonate bioherm at Southern Hydrate Ridge rises ~ 60 m above the seafloor. Credit. University of Washington, Center for Environmental Visualization.

Hydrate 3

The carbonate bioherm at Southern Hydrate Ridge rises ~ 60 m above the seafloor. Credit. University of Washington, Center for Environmental Visualization.

Hydrothermal

Endeavor Vent Field