Image Archive

This small sea cucumber (Holothurian) belongs to the Peniagone genus. It is common at the base of Axial. Its undulating motion allows it to swim from place to place.  Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1599; V13

This jellyfish looks something like a lampshade. Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1723; V14

Palm Worms inhabit the toxic waters of El Guapo hydrothermal vent on Axial Seamount. Photo credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; V11.

Palm Worms at top of El Guapo. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; V11.

A Cockatoo Squid swam by the ROV camera. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1712; V14.

This curious Cockatoo Squid (Taonius borealis) inspected the ROV ROPOS's camera. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; V13.

A Rattail Fish (Coryphaenoides acrolepis) is by far the most common fish on Axial. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1601; V13.

The Deep Sea Skate (Bathyraja abyssicola) is a fairly frequent visitor to Axial Seamount; Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; V13.

A Rattail checks out the fiber optic cable at Axial Seamount. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1608; V13.

A Roughtail skate (Bathyraja trachura) resting near a vent on Axial Seamount. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1617; V13.

Pacific Flatnose. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1712; V14.

A close-up view of the underside of a rattail fish. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1601; V13.

A zoroasterid sea star (likely Zoroaster spinulosus), seen on a lava flow. Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1722; V14

A broadband seismometer and a low-frequency hydrophone placed on a flat basaltic plateau at the Axial Seamount Central Caldera Site, awaiting connection to medium power J-Box MJ03F. On a follow-on dive a 4.6-km cable will be installed. This area is of particular interest because the caldera floor is rapidly being uplifted, suggesting that melt is migrating into the magma chamber below. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI//CSSF; ROPOS Dive R1725; V14.

All Secondary Infrastructure is now installed and connected to junction box MJ03D – it awaits connection to Primary Node PN3B.  a) The bottom pressure-tilt instrument (BOTPA303) is slung beneath the ROV ROPOS for transport to the seafloor. b) Final installation image of the short-period OBSSPA305 connected to MJ03D. c) The current meter (VEL3DB304) being placed into its final location by the ROV ROPOS. d) Final placement of the bottom pressure-tilt instrument (BOTPTA303) installed and connected. Image Credit. Debbie Kelley, University of Washington, V14.

During Leg 1 of the OOI-NSF VISIONS'14 Expedition, we are making significant progress in the installation of secondary infrastructure at the summit of Axial Seamount. Infrastructure shown in green is deployed on the seafloor. During ROPOS Dive R1727, the ~ 4.6 km extension cable from PN3B to MJ03F at Central Caldera will be installed, completing this site. Image Credit: University of Washington, V14.

A marker deployed on ROPOS Dive R 1725 marks the installation location for the broadband seismometer and low frequency hydrophone at the Central Caldera Site. Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1725; V14.

John Wonderly, a teacher from Clallam Bay School, assists with the respooling of 250 m of cable onto the ROCLS drum.  This cable totals 4.7 km in length and will be laid on the seafloor to connect Axial Caldera's Primary Node PN3B with the Central Caldera Secondary Node. Photo Credit: Leslie Sautter, College of Charleston, V14.  

During ROPOS Dive R1724, the junction Box MJ03F was deployed at the Central Caldera Site. It will host a broadband seismometer, a low-frequency hydrophone, and a bottom pressure-tilt instrument suite. Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1726; V14.

The remotely operated vehicle ROPOS is launched from the R/V Thompson. ROPOS will dive to 5000 ft beneath the ocean's surface to the summit of Axial Seamount. Today the ocean in the NE Pacific is calm. Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1726; V14.

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This deep sea, purple spiny sea urchin (possibly Tromikosoma panamense) was seen at the base of Axial.  Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive R1715; V14

ROPOS deployment; the occasional wave reached up to douse the basket and left it dripping.  Photo credit: Gina Hansen, University of Washington, V14.

On a calm day, the ocean has a unique texture.  Photo credit: Gina Hansen, University of Washington, V14