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Axial Base
Axial Caldera
Hydrate Ridge
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OR Shelf
Slope Base
Deck Photos
Infrastructure
People
Sea Life
Visualizations & Maps

Axial Base
Axial Caldera
Hydrate Ridge
OR Offshore
OR Shelf
Slope Base
Deck Photos
Infrastructure
People
Sea Life
Visualizations & Maps

Map of N and S America with OOI sites labeled

Locations NSF's Ocean Observatory Initiative Sites. Credit: University of Washington, Center for Environmental Visualization.

OOI map of N and S America and RCA inset

OOI Map with RSN inset

Labeled circles showing the OOI research objectives

Research Primary Image

During subduction of the Juan de Fuca (JdF) Plate beneath the North American Plate, ocean crust and overlying sediments being carried downward heat up, releasing water and other gases into the overlying plate, causing melts to form ~ 50 miles beneath the volcano. Images of the volcanoes are in the USGS public domain. In conrast, Axial Seamount is formed by melts rising from beneath the JdF spreading center that forms the plate boundary between the Pacific Plate and the JdF Plate. Credit. D. Kelley, University of Washington.

The North American Plate off the coast is bounded by four tectonic plates to thw est (Gorda, Juan de Fuca, Pacific, and Explorer. The plates boundaries are defined by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the Gorda, Juan de Fuca and Explorer mid-mid ocean ridge spreading centers, and a series of transform faults (also known as fracture zones. Environments closer to shore include the shelf, slope and abyssal plain. A seamount chain marks the movement of the Pacific Plate over a "hot spot" on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, and includes the Cobb Seamount guyot. Credit: D. Kelley, University of Washington.

The intermediate spreading Juan de Fuca Ridge hosts multiple segments. A hot spot underlies the ridge beneath Axial Seamount. The Cobb-Eickeberg Seamount chain marks the migration of the Pacific Plate over time. Transform faults and fracture zones bounding tectonic plates off Vancouver Island south to California. Credit: Center for Environmental Visualization and D. Kelley, University of Washington.

The National Science Foundations' Ocean Observatories Initiative Regional Cabled Observatory spans the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate. Two high power and bandwidth submarine fiber optic cables (900 km total in length) link to Axial Seamount and to several margin sites off of Newport Oregon.

OOI Cabled Array Map

About Primary Image

Bathymetric Map of Slope Base and the Oregon coast

Bathymetric Map showing Slope Base and the primary cable

The Slope Base Site is located at PN1A at a depth of ~2900 m. It will host a state-of-the-art instrumented Shallow Profiling Mooring, a Deep Profiling Mooring, and an array of seafloor instruments.

3D rendering of Endurance Array and Slope Base

Endurance Array and Slope Base Mooring Image

Bathymetric map of Slope Base with labels

Slope Base PN1A Pano Image

Bathymetric map showing OOI core infrastructure as installed in 2017 at the Slope Base site. Credit: M. Elend, University of Washington.

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.

Sonar image of Pinnacle at hydrate ridge

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

Hydrate 3

Bubble plumes above Southern Hydrate Ridge Summit as imaged by the R/V Thompson's multibeam sonar. These sonar surveys were used to plan CTD casts to sample for methane in the water column. Credit: Bob Collier, OSU

Bathymetric map of Southern Hydrate Ridge showing core OOI Cabled Array infrastructure and instruments as installed in 2017. The main study site is focused on Einsteins' Grotto that is highly dynamic with explosive bubble plumes and large collapse zones that have formed since 2010. Credit: M. Elend, University of Washington.

Bathymetric map of Southern Hydrate Ridge with labels

Cabled infrastructure now installed at Southern Hydrate Ridge providing real-time data to shore. The main focus site is called 'Enstein's Grotto, a site where vigorous venting of methane bubbles rise several hundred meters above the seafloor. Credit: University of Washington.

Bathymetric map of Oregon Offshore with labels

Endurance PN1C Pano Image

Cabled Array infrastructure at the Oregon Offshore Site as installed in 2017. The site was trawled fall 2017: the Shallow Profiler Mooring (PC01B-SC01B) will be reinstalled during the Cabled Array 2018 field program. Credit: M. Elend, University of Washington.

A bathymetric map showing core RCA cabled infrastructure at the Oregon Shelf site as installed in 2018. Credit: M. Elend, University of Washington

Bathymetric map of Oregon Inshore with labels

The Oregon Inshore Site will host both cabled and uncabled infrastructure. During the VISIONS'14 cruise, it is anticipated that a Surface Piercing Profiler system, a Benthic Experiemtal Platform, and associated instruments will be installed.

Endurance Shelf PN1D Pano Image

Bathymetric map of Oregon Shelf with labels

Cabled infrastructure at the Oregon Endurance Shelf site, in 80 m of water, obtains power and communications from Primary Node PN1D located ~ 17 km to the west. The site is impacted by strong currents with very turbid water due to high productivity. Credit. D. Kelley and CEV, University of Washington.

Bathymetric map of Axial Seamount and US west coast

Axial Seamount rises to a depth of ~ 1500 m beneath the oceans surface and is cut by the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Transform faults and fracture zones bounding tectonic plates off Vancouver Island south to California. Credit: Center for Environmental Visualization and D. Kelley, University of Washington.

Bathymetric map of Axial Seamount and surrounding area

Bathymetric Map showing Axial Seamount and the primary cable

Axial Volcano hosts numerous hydrothermal fields and sites of diffuse flow that support dense animal and microbial communities. Credit: D. Kelley, University of Washington.

3D rendering of Axial mooring infrastructure

Image of mooring infrastructure at Axial Seamount Primary Node 3A

Axial Seamount is the most magmatically robust volcano on the Juan de Fuca Ridge spreading center. It hosts numerous active hydrothermal fields and abundant sites of diffuse flow.

A variety of geophysical sensors are deployed at the base of Axial Seamount to monitor seismic events on the Juan de Fuca plate.

Map showing RCA cables at Axial Seamount

Location of Cabled Array infrastructure at Axial Base in 2017 and positions of CTD casts. Credit: M. Elend, University of Washington.

Diagram of RCA installations at Axial Base

Axial Base PN3A Pano Image

Diagram of RCA installations at Slope Base

Axial Slope Base Image

Axial Base PN3A Pano Image2

A high resolution bathymetric map of Axial Caldera. Bathymetry courtesy of D. Caress, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

This high resolution bathymetric map of the ASHES hydrothermal field shows the location of small, ~ 4 m tall, actively venting sulfide structures. The field is located near the steep western caldera wall. The field is likely fed by fluids circulating up along faults associated with this wall.

This bathymetric map of ASHES Hydrothermal Field shows the location of many of the black smoker chimneys that dot this site. The chimney Inferno rises 4 m (~ 12 feet) above the surrounding seafloor and is ~ 11 meters from its neighbor called Mushroom. Colleagues from NOAA-PMEL have worked at this site for two decades, monitoring changes in the chimneys and fluid chemistry.

Cabled Array core infrastructure and instruments at the summit of Axial Seamount. Also shown in yellow are new instruments funded by the National Science Foundation (COVIS sonar,self calibrating pressure sensor, and flipping tilt meter) and an 3D temperature array platform that will be installed this year, followed by the instrument array next year funded by the Office of Navy Reserach. Credit. D. Kelley and CEV, University of Washington.

The summit of Axial Volcano will host myriad geophysical, chemical and biological instruments connected in real-time to the Internet via an array of junction boxes and extension cables. During the VISIONS'13 Expedition, three subnets were completed at this site (highlighted in blue). They include: 1) a medium-powered J-box MJ03B in the ASHES hydrothermal field, which is connected to two short-period seismometers; 2) an HD camera also in the ASHES hydrothermal field; and 3) a medium powered J-box MJ03E connected to two short-period seismometers. Over 20 km of extension cables, with lengths up to ~ 5 km, were successfully installed in 2013 using the ROV ROPOS. All extension cables and subnets were fully tested and are functional, awaiting to be connected to Primary Node PN3B. The remaining infrastructure will be deployed in during VISIONS'14, next year.

The summit of Axial Volcano now hosts 20 instruments, many of which are now streaming data live to shore. Credit: University of Washington.

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.

Axial Caldera ROPOS Dive 1727

On August 8, 2014 all secondary infrastructure at the summit of Axial Seamount was connected to the Primary Infrastructure. Image Credit: University of Washington, V14.

During the VISIONS'13 Expedition, three subnets were completed at this site (highlighted in blue). They include: 1) a medium-powered J-box MJ03B in the ASHES hydrothermal field, which is connected to two short-period seismometers; 2) an HD camera also in the ASHES hydrothermal field; and 3) a medium powered J-box MJ03E connected to two short-period seismometers. Over 20 km of extension cables, with lengths up to ~ 5 km, were successfully installed in 2013 using the ROV ROPOS. All extension cables and subnets were fully tested and are functional, awaiting to be connected to Primary Node PN3B. The remaining infrastructure will be deployed in during VISIONS'14, next year.

Labeled image of a hydrothermal vent and sensors

This down-looking view of the Mushroom Hydrothermal Vent and adjacent Inferno chimney shows where the high definition video camera, fluid sampler (OSMO), and 3D temperature (thermistor) sensors will be placed. The HD camera and thermistor array will be cabled. In concert, these instruments will allow characterization of how fluid chemistry and temperature impact biological communities, and how these evolve over time in response to volcanic and seismic events.

Down looking mosaic of the ~ 4 m tall black smoker chimneys 'Inferno' and 'Mushroom' in the ASHES vent field. A network of fractures with variable intensity of diffuse flow host white bacterial mats and tube worms. Also shown is a corresponding vertical mosaic of Inferno hosting dense colonies of tube worms and limpets. PLEASE NOTE: This image is not available for usage.

Bathymetric Map showing the OOI-RCA installations at Axial Central Caldera

Cartoon of sub-seafloor vent field geology

Vent Field Mechanics

Cartoon of OOI-RCA Oregon Slope Base instruments

OOI-RCA installations at the Oregon Slope Base (2900 m) site

Cartoon of OOI-RCA Hydrate Ridge instruments

OOI-RCA installations at Southern Hydrate Ridge methane seep site

Cartoon of OOI Endurance Array Oregon Offshore instruments

OOI Endurance Array installations at the Oregon Offshore (600 m) site

Cartoon of OOI Endurance Array Oregon Shelf instruments

OOI Endurance Array installations at the Oregon Shelf (80 m) site

Cartoon of OOI Endurance Array Oregon Inshore instruments

OOI Endurance Array installations at the Oregon Inshore (25 m) site

Cartoon of Axial Base and Central Caldera instruments

OOI-RCA installations at Axial Base and Central Caldera

Cartoon of Axial Base and Eastern Caldera instruments

OOI-RCA installations at Axial Base and Eastern Caldera

Cartoon of Axial Base and Caldera instruments

OOI-RCA installations at Axial Base and Caldera

Cartoon of Axial Eastern Caldera instruments

OOI-RCA installation at Eastern Caldera on Axial Seamount

Cartoon of Axial Central Caldera instruments

OOI-RCA installation at Central Caldera on Axial Seamount

ASHES Vent Field OOI-RCA installations

Nullschool visualization of offshore weather

A weather disturbance in the Gulf of Alaska June 25, 2018, is sending large swells into our work area that prevents diving with heavy packages. This screen grab is from the https://earth.nullschool.net/ site, which we frequently use to get an overview of conditions across the Pacific and more locally. The one shown here is of winds.

Rainbow colored map of surface chlorophyll showing coastal upwelling

The coastal oceans and associated ecosystems off of the Pacific Northwest are strongly impacted by wind-driven upwelling in the spring and summer of deep, nutrient-rich water. Satellite images highlight blooms of chlorophyll associated with these events that typically last 2-20 days.

A huge hurricane strength storm currently sits 1000 miles offshore and moving towards our working area. While the storm will diminish by the time it reaches the cabled observatory site, it will have generated very large seas that make working with the ROV impossible until at least Friday morning the 26th of September. Credit: passageweather.com

Box showing the amount of ocean above Axial Seamount

3D rendering of Axial Seamount bathymetry and the water column above it

Endeavor Vent Field

Components of the primary nodes include the backbone interface assembly (red frame) and the science interface assembly (yellow).

CGI rendering of a yellow profiler platform and instruments

This platform at 200 m beneath the ocean's surface is on the RSN two-legged mooring. The 12-foot-across platform will host the instrumented Shallow Winched Profiler, as well as an instrument science module on the platform itself (including a digital still camera and ADCP). All data will be streamed in real-time through the seafloor cable and onto the Internet for ingestion and redistribution by the OOI Cyberinfrastructure. (Illustration by Patrick Waite, University of Washington)

CGI rendering of a yellow shallow profiler pod and instruments

This winched shallow profiler science pod with be hosted on the 200-m platform of the RSN two-legged high-bandwidth mooring. The science pod will include numerous chemical and biological sensors, including pH, CO2, and nitrate. The profiler will make several trips through the water column each day, transmitting all data in real-time to the Internet. The two-way communication provided by the Primary Cable will allow adjusments of profiles in response to events of interest and characterization of thin layers. (Illustration by Patrick Waite, University of Washington)

CGI rendering of a yellow capsule-shaped profiler

The RSN Deep Profiler (DP) system is designed to collect oceanographic data profiles in water depths of up to 3000m. The DP system includes a modified McLane Mooring Profiler (MMP) vehicle that uses a motor traction drive to profile from near the sea surface to the seafloor along a tensioned mooring cable with a subsurface float. The system's dock assembly near the seafloor includes an inductive battery-charging dock for the vehicle battery, an inductive communication system that provides communications during profiling, and a Wi-fi antenna that provides high-speed communications while in the charging dock. The dock electronics will connect to the RSN power and fiber-optic data network using ROV-mateable underwater connectors. (Illustration by Nick Michel-Hart, University of Washington)

Sonar image of Axial Caldera with Sentry ROV added

Axial Caldera as visualized by the Sentry ROV using sidescan sonar systems

Cartoon rendering of different seafloor sensors on the OOI

Components of the core seafloor sensor packages associated with the OOI cabled observatory moorings

Cartoon rendering of the OOI deep profiler

Components of the OOI cabled observatory deep water profilers

Cartoon rendering of the OOI Shallow Profiler mooring platform

Components of the 200m platforms on the OOI cabled observatory moorings

Cartoon rendering of the OOI Shallow Profiler mooring

Components of the OOI cabled observatory shallow water profilers

Cartoon rendering of different profilers on the OOI

Deep water and shallow water profiling components of the OOI cabled observatory moorings

Cartoon rendering of different nodes on the OOI

Secondary nodes will connect to the primary nodes and transfer power and bandwidth to sensor networks. They are scheduled for deployment in 2013 using an ROV. --Graphic credit: OOI RSN and Center for Environmental Visualization, University of Washington

Cartoon rendering of the OOI system on a map

The footprint of the OOI cabled observatory

Cartoon rendering of different sensors on the OOI

Visualization of OOI sensor networks

Cartoon rendering of different cables on the OOI

Extension cables will connect the primary nodes to secondary nodes and then to myriad instruments and sensors. Over 22,000 m of extension cables were deployed with the remotely operated vehicle ROPOS during the VISIONS'13 expedition, July - August, 2013.

Cartoon rendering of different moorings on the OOI

Highly capable moorings such as those shown here use power and bandwidth from the cable to investigate water motion and a spectrum of other properties from the sea surface to the seafloor.

Lithosphere to hydrosphere processes at Endeavour.

Engineering drawing of an open-sided box on four legs with instruments inside

Model of a Secondary Node. Drawn by Mike Welch, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington

Green and blue shaded echogram showing acoustic data

Tucker trawl trajectory on the 2018-07-21 tow. The background is an "echogram" assembled by compiling the amplitude of echo returns from the ship ADCP. The rain drop-like features on the echogram are interference from other acoustic instruments operating at the same time. The white net trajectory here was obtained by a time-depth recorder that was attached to the net. Credit: W. Lee, University of Washington, V18.