T2 is in the vent below the fluid intake funnel. T1 is located inside the fluid sampling funnel. The fluid sample bottles at on the underside of the yellow flotation balls on the RAS frame. A HOBO (high temperature recorder) is adjacent at the base of the funnel tripod. (click for full-size)

The NeMO Net RAS sampler was deployed on September 1, 2003 in the ASHES vent field. RAS was recovered on May 11, 2005. The system is located at Virgin vent, a high-temperature, anhydrite chimney. The RAS will monitor the chemistry and temperature of this vent over the next year.

The instrument is capable of collecting 48 vent fluid and particle samples in a time-series. The system is a McLane 48-500 Remote Access Sampler, with hardware and software enhancements done at PMEL. Temperature measurements are made every 10 minutes. The sampler is programmed to take a water/particle sample once per week and collect chemical sensor data (pH and H2S) twice per week. The system can also be sent a command at any time via satellite to collect samples or send back temperature data. This interactivity will allow us to take samples quickly and at critical times, for example in response to any seismic or volcanic activity, long before any ship could get to the site. By having this instrument in place we hope to learn more about the dynamic early stages of such events.

RAS being deployed at Virgin vent. Behind the RAS is the NeMO Net buoy awaiting deployment. (click for full-size)

For more information use the following links to NeMO Explorer:
Hydrothermal vents
Anhydrite chimneys
Diffuse vents
ASHES virtual reality site
Video clip of Virgin vent
NeMO at Axial Volcano