NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer: Galápagos Rift, New Hydrothermal Vent Discovered 7/23/2011

Nine ROV dives into the Galapágos Rift 2011 Expedition, the science team finally discovered the type of hydrothermal vent community they had been searching for. Clusters of tube worms, limpets, mussels, and anemones were seen to inhabit cracks in the lava bed where mineral-rich, geothermally-heated water 'vents' out. Two species of tube worms were found in abundance: the giant Riftia pachyptila and also the much smaller, never before observed in the Galápagos, Tevnia jerichonana. Brachyuran crabs, vent shrimp, and scale worms clung not only to the surrounding rock but also to the tube worms themselves in some cases. Extensive fields of dead and living clams surrounded the individual pockets of venting.

Video courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Galapágos Rift Expedition 2011.

Please visit source: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/welcome.html

Category:

Science & Technology

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• NOAA Ocean Explorer
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• ROVs
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• Galapagos
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• hydrothermal vent
• tubeworm
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• research
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• Live from the Seafloor

[Spasatcom]

this is seriously cool, I Like this vids, thanks friends

[megalegozero]

did you know tube worms share the same blood as humans

[grooder]

wow! so hd~! thanks so much for posting! very cool find in the deep sea abyss ;P

[smuggecko]

this is seriously cool

[Sunshines4u2]

I wonder what is that red laser type of dot, glowing in the dark. Could it be an alien eye? He's hiding there.

[sarenace]

@FrankLame I'd say that's a range finding laser dude

[cincingr]

Wow! Thanks for posting.

[FrankLame]

Great stuff!

At what depth have you ben operating?

What's the clear red spot around 1:35; is that still glowing lava??

[mariloumccrosky]

Absolutely magnificent- can't wait to share this with my students! WOW!

[oo0Dionysus0oo]

thank you for posting . awsome