Galapagos Rift Expedition (GALREX2011)
This GALREX2011 expedition completed the first multibeam bathymetric map of the Galapagos Rift (GR) axis from 101.3W to 98.0W, and a continuous CTD tow-yo and multibeam transect between 89.33W and 85.75W to locate active hydrothermal areas. These operations were designed to complement a similar survey of the central GR from 94.9W to 89.6W (White et al., 2008). Our survey revealed at least 20 distinct water column anomalies along the eastern arm of the rift. This corresponds to an overall spatial density of hydrothermal plumes about twice that of the central GR (Baker et al., 2008). Venting was concentrated in two distinct areas at 88.56W-88.09W and 86.25W-85.87W. The first was a 50 km-long area of contiguous, intense plumes rising as high as 250 m above the seafloor with an intense light-scattering signal between the seafloor and the top of the plume. Weaker plumes were common in a second area near the historical vent fields Rose Garden and Rosebud (Shank et al., 2003).
Five ROV dives near 88.3W, the location of the largest hydrothermal plume signal, found recently-erupted lava flows spread over at least 14 km, and several regions of vigorous diffuse venting. At two sites, white flocculent material - potentially microbial in origin - issued from the vents in a "snow-blower" fashion. Two newly named vent fields, Uka Pacha and Pegasus, featured white microbial mats blanketing extensive areas along the base and sides of the axial graben. Sessile fauna were not observed and mobile organisms were scarce, suggesting insufficient time since the creation of the vents for new colonists to arrive (Shank et al., 1998). Extinct hydrothermal sulfide chimneys over 30-m tall were discovered within 2 km of the active vents, indicating that the region previously experienced a substantial period of intense high-temperature venting.
Three ROV dives at plume sites near 86W discovered one of the largest vent fields known on the rift (~120 m x 40 m). The field, named Tempus Fugit, was characterized by diffuse venting in a once massive clam bed thought to be > 20 years old (based on the dissolution state of empty shells larger than 25 cm). In addition to mature live vesicomyid clams, siboglinid tubeworms and mytilid mussels, the high abundance of juveniles suggests that this site has seen multiple colonization events over time. Clusters of scavenging dandelion siphonophores demarcated the site's periphery. Active colonization was observed on relatively older pillow and lobate lavas ringed by large beds of dead clams (most with broken and dissolving). There were at least 13 species of vent-endemic fauna including potentially three species of tubeworms (maximum length of 70 cm). The lack of biota and presence of vitreous, unsedimented lobate lava flows observed at the Rosebud diffuse vent field (86.2W), suggests that this site may have experienced an eruption subsequent to the last previous dive at the site in 2005.
Results of the GALREX 2011 cruise indicate abundant and recent hydrothermal and volcanic activity on two adjacent tectonic ridge segments, spanning more than 200 km of spreading axis. These findings not only reveal recent eruptive activity between 85W and 89W, they also indicate that the rates of hydrothermal habitat turnover via eruption, dike intrusion, or cessation of venting may be considerably higher than previously thought along the Galapagos Rift.
In addition to the exploration of the Rift, we for the first time explored a previously unmapped and biologically unknown seamount region hosting the Paramount Seamount, 400 km north of the main islands. We discovered that this seamount hosts: 1) extremely abundant and diverse deep-water coral communities (many already expected to be new species); 2) a strongly pronounced break in faunal composition with depth (one of the most striking observed on a seamount), and 3) distinct faunal communities likely influenced by this seamount summit having been at shallower depths, subject to wave erosion, and the presence of drowned reefs as a result of sea-level rise.
Galapagos Rift Expedition (GALREX2011)
This GALREX2011 expedition completed the first multibeam bathymetric map of the Galapagos Rift (GR) axis from 101.3W to 98.0W, and a continuous CTD tow-yo and multibeam transect between 89.33W and 85.75W to locate active hydrothermal areas. These operations were designed to complement a similar survey of the central GR from 94.9W to 89.6W (White et al., 2008). Our survey revealed at least 20 distinct water column anomalies along the eastern arm of the rift. This corresponds to an overall spatial density of hydrothermal plumes about twice that of the central GR (Baker et al., 2008). Venting was concentrated in two distinct areas at 88.56W-88.09W and 86.25W-85.87W. The first was a 50 km-long area of contiguous, intense plumes rising as high as 250 m above the seafloor with an intense light-scattering signal between the seafloor and the top of the plume. Weaker plumes were common in a second area near the historical vent fields Rose Garden and Rosebud (Shank et al., 2003).
Five ROV dives near 88.3W, the location of the largest hydrothermal plume signal, found recently-erupted lava flows spread over at least 14 km, and several regions of vigorous diffuse venting. At two sites, white flocculent material - potentially microbial in origin - issued from the vents in a "snow-blower" fashion. Two newly named vent fields, Uka Pacha and Pegasus, featured white microbial mats blanketing extensive areas along the base and sides of the axial graben. Sessile fauna were not observed and mobile organisms were scarce, suggesting insufficient time since the creation of the vents for new colonists to arrive (Shank et al., 1998). Extinct hydrothermal sulfide chimneys over 30-m tall were discovered within 2 km of the active vents, indicating that the region previously experienced a substantial period of intense high-temperature venting.
Three ROV dives at plume sites near 86W discovered one of the largest vent fields known on the rift (~120 m x 40 m). The field, named Tempus Fugit, was characterized by diffuse venting in a once massive clam bed thought to be > 20 years old (based on the dissolution state of empty shells larger than 25 cm). In addition to mature live vesicomyid clams, siboglinid tubeworms and mytilid mussels, the high abundance of juveniles suggests that this site has seen multiple colonization events over time. Clusters of scavenging dandelion siphonophores demarcated the site's periphery. Active colonization was observed on relatively older pillow and lobate lavas ringed by large beds of dead clams (most with broken and dissolving). There were at least 13 species of vent-endemic fauna including potentially three species of tubeworms (maximum length of 70 cm). The lack of biota and presence of vitreous, unsedimented lobate lava flows observed at the Rosebud diffuse vent field (86.2W), suggests that this site may have experienced an eruption subsequent to the last previous dive at the site in 2005.
Results of the GALREX 2011 cruise indicate abundant and recent hydrothermal and volcanic activity on two adjacent tectonic ridge segments, spanning more than 200 km of spreading axis. These findings not only reveal recent eruptive activity between 85W and 89W, they also indicate that the rates of hydrothermal habitat turnover via eruption, dike intrusion, or cessation of venting may be considerably higher than previously thought along the Galapagos Rift.
In addition to the exploration of the Rift, we for the first time explored a previously unmapped and biologically unknown seamount region hosting the Paramount Seamount, 400 km north of the main islands. We discovered that this seamount hosts: 1) extremely abundant and diverse deep-water coral communities (many already expected to be new species); 2) a strongly pronounced break in faunal composition with depth (one of the most striking observed on a seamount), and 3) distinct faunal communities likely influenced by this seamount summit having been at shallower depths, subject to wave erosion, and the presence of drowned reefs as a result of sea-level rise.
Paramount Seamount
Area
Approximately 225 Nautical Miles North of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 14, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 597.6 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 6 Hours 44 Minutes 2 Seconds |
Summary
The ROV Little Hercules began this dive at approximately 800 meters depth and moved upslope to explore the rim of the seamount. We transited to the west toward a large promontory 8 meters away. As we moved upslope, there was an increase in abundance of organisms and a general trend of high abundance of corals, but with low diversity. The summit margin was characterized by a high abundance of white brachiopods and pink brittle stars in the 400 meter shallow zone along the summit margin. Multiple ophiuroids. brachiopods, and white sponges were found on a sediment-covered seafloor with occasional isolated cobbles and small boulders and brittle stars were observed on a red rocky substrate, hypothesized to be fossil shallow-water corals.
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| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 206 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.53 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 67.25 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 1.79 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.93 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 2 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 394.8 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Site of strong hydrothermal signal
Area
Approximately 175 Nautical Miles Northeast of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 15, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 1976.8 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 6 Hours 23 Minutes 34 Seconds |
Summary
At the start of this dive, we transited NE over pillow mounds in an area of 1 meter collapses with small pillars displaying bathtub rings. Little Hercules then moved 200 meters to the north to locate the extent of the linear collapses and the northern boundary. We traversed toward Plume target 2a and explored the vicinity, transiting across a graben structure and confirming the northern margin of that structure. Little Hercules came across a new lava flow within a broad 10 meter fissure; black fresh flow about 1-3 meters into the fissure with iron-oxide staining on the flow breaks and pillow margins. Just prior to seeing this new flow in the fissure, we located a contact between younger lava and much older material. The dive ended by looking at and imaging a wall of truncated pillow lava.
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| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 86 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.55 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 63.65 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.04 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 4.05 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 3.36 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 141.54 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Site 2a
Area
Approximately 175 Nautical Miles Northeast of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 16, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 1970.8 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 6 Hours 8 Minutes 31 Seconds |
Summary
During our third ROV dive on the Galapagos Rift, we continued searching for active hydrothermal vents. We came across recent lobate flow with hydrothermal staining and continued to move SW on this flow toward a ridge. Hydrothermal alteration of pillow lavas appeared more extensive in this region. Once on top of the ridge, there was speculation that this feature was a north-facing broken talus mound or wall and that there would be more hydrothermal activity to the west of our current location. As we moved west, low volume warm venting could be seen and particles in the water that were likely to be bacterial sulfur flocculent. Traversing over younger lava flow on our way north toward "Little Hercules smoke target", we passed a recent lava contact and the water remained murky with no sessile fauna and a decrease in hydrothermal staining. We came upon a 1 m wide fissure, floored with talus and pillow lava on either side and continued to follow the fissure with an increase in sediment, before turning to follow the fissure to the east. Towering hydrothermal sulfide spires appeared, lined west-to-east within the graben; remnants of past black smoker chimneys with scars in the rock where colonies of tubeworms once lived.
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| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 78 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.9 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 74.06 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.57 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 5.15 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 2.7 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 162.42 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Site 2a
Area
Approximately 175 Nautical Miles Northeast of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 17, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 1968.7 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 5 Hours 20 Minutes 55 Seconds |
Summary
Huge billows of vent smoke were seen as ROV Little Hercules and Seirios maneuvered approximately 20 to 80 meters above the seafloor but no expansive vent fields had yet been found. Large extinct sulfide structures with flanges and multiple diffuse vents were seen again at the start of this dive and we moved with Little Hercules to the SE to traverse along the active graben. The lava flow had a west/east length of over 70 meters and the graben (with fresh lava) was 83-90 meters long. We started to see contacts of fresh lava flow with older lava at the base of the wall of the graben as we traversed over the seafloor following lava contacts. We saw extensive diffuse venting through young flows with some light colored smoke in places. We continued moving on to explore targets in an area of younger lava flow at 1954 meters but lost the fresh lava flow and came into complex lobates with a fissure. Multiple large extinct sulfide structure with flanges were discovered and approximately 120 meters from active "Diffuse flow, white staining" site, we came upon a 30 m high dead tower chimney structure with ROV Little Hercules and this structure was imaged extensively before the end of the dive.
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| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 117 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.74 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 59.32 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 1.73 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 5.01 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 3.24 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 252.77 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Site 2a
Area
Approximately 175 Nautical Miles Northeast of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 18, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 1972 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 5 Hours 41 Minutes 44 Seconds |
Summary
Once on bottom, Little Hercules moved through murky water over pillow lavas covered with sediment slightly east of the diffuse vent site discovered on dive 04. We relocated the diffuse vent site and paused at the northern extent of the field to image clear venting and white microbial mat material between lobate lavas. We then moved East and discovered another site with diffuse vent fluid flowing from cracks between truncated lobates in a graben wall. This area north to south was about 15 meters wide, with the most vigorous flow on the south side. Both diffuse venting sites, separated by 9 meters, were characterized by young lavas and intense diffuse flow through the surrounding basaltic rock with only a few mobile species that were vent specific. A large line of inactive chimneys was seen on pillow-based promontories in the axial graben and Little Hercules began moving to the NE to regain the graben and then traverse E-SE along the southern wall. Just before the end of the dive, Little Hercules found an extensive field of young lavas with Fe staining and diffuse venting between lobate lava but there was no more time for exploration further to the East.
Download & View Files
| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 101 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.56 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 55.9 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.51 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 5.55 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 1.99 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 120.97 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Site 2c
Area
Approximately 190 Nautical Miles Northeast of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 19, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 1975.1 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 6 Hours 29 Minutes 38 Seconds |
Summary
At the start of this dive, structured smokey water was observed at 15 meters off the seafloor. Once on bottom, Little Hercules proceeded upslope to the top of the volcanic ridge over older sedimented pillow lavas and came upon a fissure with diffuse venting at 1941 meters depth. No mobile fauna was observed but there were some attached small animals, likely sponges. We then moved downslope through water still smokey and continued to the NE to look for more active/recent flows. At the bottom of a graben, there was an increase in particulates in the water and staining along rock margins. Little Hercules came over a promontory moved further south, following a fissure in order to regain the graben. We imaged the bottom of the graben and defined the northern wall, observing contacts on the bottom with thin fresher flows and lobates with sediment pockets. Diffuse hydrothermal venting was observed among old pillow and lobate lavas at 1960 meters depth, white bacterial mats were found in cracks, and slight hydrothermal flow could be seen from small patches of white staining between lobate lavas. This extensive field of diffuse flow extended beyond Little Hercules' tether to the N with more intense hydrothermal venting northward. The water was filled with flocculent particles and there were no obvious sessile vent animals except for sponges. Once it was clear that this diffuse venting might extend 20-30 m to the east, we directed an E-W and N-S transit to look at the dimensions of the field before completing the dive.
Download & View Files
| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 136 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.7 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 63.8 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.89 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 6.37 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 2.46 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 132.16 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Rosebud
Area
Rosebud hydrothermal vent site, approximately 300 Nautical Miles Northwest of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 20, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 2449.7 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 4 Hours 25 Minutes 17 Seconds |
Summary
On this descent, we saw an abundance of squid- down to at least 500m as well as what appear to be larvaceans/ctenophores. Once on the seafloor, we observed collapsed margins and traversed over a North-south running unsedimented lobate lava flow. Little Hercules continued to follow along collapsed features, over pillow lavas with multiple dandelion siphonophores but no sites of active hydrothermal venting were found during this dive. The lack of biota and presence of vitreous sheet flows suggests that this site may have experienced an eruption subsequent to the last previous dive at the site in 2005.
Download & View Files
| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 86 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 2.25 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 50.4 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.43 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 5.2 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 1 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 88.67 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Site 4aE
Area
Approximately 320 Nautical Miles Northwest of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 21, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 2607.4 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 5 Hours 50 Minutes 21 Seconds |
Summary
We began this dive by landing 100 meters to the east of the 4aE plume target and proceeding to the west, traversing across broken pillow lava heavily covered with sediment. Little Hercules then began moving north, discovered a fissure and began an E-W transit for exploration. The fissure was characterized by a northern wall higher than a Southern wall with pillow lavas on either side, and a talus slope at the base. Little Hercules continued traversing over heavily sedimented pillow and lobate lavas before coming to the end of the dive without locating any active hydrothermal vent areas.
Download & View Files
| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 69 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.95 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 59.6 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.66 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 5.71 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 2.44 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 164.8 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Site 4aW
Area
Galapagos Rift eastern limb, approximately 320 Nautical Miles Northwest of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 22, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 2581.4 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 6 Hours 37 Minutes 48 Seconds |
Summary
On bottom, we explored the landing site near 85 54.648 W, 00 46.104 N at a depth of 2560 meters before moving to the west. We located what looked to be active fissures and grabens in the area and Little Hercules moved through water heavy with particulates and observed increasing numbers of brachyuran crabs on pillow lavas. We came upon the edge of an extensive field of empty clam shells and Riftia tubeworms were observed living in shimmering water rising from between pillow lavas and lobes. We began surveying the vent field and found that there were extensive beds of clam shells both along the margins of the field as well as in the central active venting area. In the active-flow areas, there was evidence of recent colonization by tubeworms including Riftia, Oasisia, and Tevnia, a species previously unknown from the Galapagos Rift, along with highly-abundant bathymodiolin mussels filling cracks and crevices in the lobate lavas. White aggregations of mineral sulfides and microbial mats were observed in diffuse flow areas, between young lobate lava flows. Much of the rock in these areas had dark discoloration, likely caused by the grazing activity of a least 4 species of limpets on the white microbial material. Dandelion siphonophores were abundant along all margins of the field as well as shrimp and anemones. At the end of the dive, we had explored to the eastern boundary and noted that the dead clam shells continued on to the east. It may be that this field is one of the largest vent fields found yet on the Galapagos Rift (spanning 130m by 40m), with the general community being older in the west and the development of the communities being younger to the east.
Download & View Files
| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 82 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.77 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 70 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 3.16 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 6.15 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 5.56 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 173.81 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Site 4aW
Area
Galapagos Rift eastern limb, approximately 320 Nautical Miles Northwest of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 23, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 2566.5 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 4 Hours 48 Minutes 20 Seconds |
Summary
Once on bottom, ROV Little Hercules relocated the diffuse hydrothermal vent field with abundant anemones on lobate lavas and proceeded into the Riftia community imaged on Dive 09 before heading east over dead clam shells and live mussels. We then moved to the south over fields of clam shells and imaged dandelions and serpulid worms on the edge of the vent field. Little Hercules extended tether out to the N/NE and found no signs of active venting, then extended to the east to see the boundary of the clam field and came back NE to look at the Northern extent of the field. We then made another pass through the center of the diffuse vent field, heading NE over active shimmery water and Riftia, limpets, mussels colonizing in cracks and brachyuran crabs. We observed white staining on the margins of rock and small Riftia living among dead clam shells. At the Western edge of the vent field, the vertical port thruster on Little Hercules malfunctioned and that signaled the end of the dive.
Download & View Files
| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 107 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.34 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 68.54 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.76 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 3.99 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 140.19 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Off-axis Sulfide Mounds
Area
Approximately 300 Nautical Miles Northeast of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 24, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 2716.9 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 3 Hours 42 Minutes 1 Seconds |
Summary
Little Hercules surveyed a gently sloping mound with corals, sponges, holothurians, and imaged yellow mineral deposits in sediments before continuing to the NE to the next cluster of sulfide mounds. ROV then headed west to follow a line of sonar targets and found mounds with similar faunal composition and more yellow staining around cracks/orifices at the base of rocky outcrops. Sponges were abundant at the top of the mound. Little Hercules explored to the west and traversed over a mound similar to ones seen previously with fractured crust and Mn staining, before turning North. Here, Little Hercules imaged on old clam shell that appeared to be approx 8 cm in length with no trail marks nearby. The surrounding sediment was platy and meter-high mounds were observed with no staining or sulfide.
Download & View Files
| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 90 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.65 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 62.3 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 4.8 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 1.52 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 81.2 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
Ecuadorian Rift
Area
390 Nautical Miles Northeast of the Galapagos Islands
Overview
| Date: | July 25, 2011 |
| Max Depth: | 2878.9 Meters |
| Bottom Time: | 4 Hours 8 Minutes 29 Seconds |
Summary
During this dive, we explored the volcano's caldera, which has two deeper craters in it to the north and northeast. Starting from a depth of 2870m, we crossed over the rim on the SW side and entered into the volcano's caldera. We found old pillow lavas approximately 110 meters SW from the flat summit and headed Northeast into the first crater. Corals, sponges, fish and shrimp were observed on pillow lavas heavy with sediment. We explored to the south briefly before moving north toward the inner crater at a depth of 2875m. Little Hercules moved up the western wall of the southern crater along cut pillow lavas with collapsed talus at the base, then traversed over talus slope with many corals and sponges on truncated pillow lavas. Moving to the next crater and heading due East, we discovered a wall covered with corals and sponges. We then moved along the margin of the NE crater and traversed down in to confirm bottom lava morphology, wall structure, and proceeded to the east and out of the crater. Once out on top, we ran along the crater margin to the SE and continued across the caldera summit. On the northern wall of the NE crater we saw sponges and the base of the wall had a small bench-like structure and contact with talus at a depth of 2869 meters.
Download & View Files
| Dive Summary Report (PDF - 445 KB) | View/Download | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Dive Summary Report |
| Dive Track (KML - 94 KB) | View/Download | Requires Google Earth or equivalent client to view the Dive Track |
| ROV Ancillary Data (Zip - 1.77 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Trailer (MOV - 79.2 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| ROV CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 2.16 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Camera Sled CTD/Sensor Data (Zip - 5.25 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Low-Resolution Video Clips (Zip - 1.44 GB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Underwater Still Images (Zip - 107.93 MB) | Download | Note: Link takes you to a public FTP server |
| Dive Video Collection Self-Service Portal | Open | Note: Link takes you to an online video discovery and access tool |
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