2006
Videos: Ocean Explorer Return to the Mariana Arc The edited video clips show highlights from Nikko
dives with the JASON II remotely operated vehicle. These
movies are larger format versions (480 x 360) of the video clips available
on the NOAA
Ocean Exploration web site, along with images and logs from the
expedition.
Nikko
The
floor of the summit crater at Nikko volcano has numerous hydrothermal
vents that are vigorously venting cloudy water, making visibility
challenging. Deposits of sulfur are everywhere and the biomass is
extraordinary. Large tubeworm bushes are common, along with a huge
number of crabs and flatfish.
Quicktime: 7.8
MB | Windows Media 7.0
MB
The crater floor at Nikko has many sulfur chimneys, both active and
inactive. Scientists were able to deduce that this one grew by repeated
overflows of molten sulfur, which created the extraordinary embellishments
on its sides.
Quicktime: 7.8
MB | Windows Media 6.9
MB
The
south rim of the summit crater at Nikko is covered by an amazing density
of tubeworms, and hot springs nearby have formed unusual deposits
of sulfur.
Quicktime: 7.7
MB | Windows Media 7.0
MB
An
embayment on the south slope of the summit cone at Nikko was found
to contain a large area with boiling pots of molten sulfur, reminiscent
of places like Yellowstone National Park.
Quicktime: 8.7
MB | Windows Media 7.9
MB
Closer
examination of the area around the molten sulfur pots reveals that
what appears to be solid ground is really just a thin crust on a larger
lake of molten sulfur!
Quicktime: 9.9
MB | Windows Media 8.8
MB
When Jason tries to sample a rock, it sinks through the thin crust
on the lake of molten sulfur and a crab barely survives the experience!
At the end of the dive we found that part of the Jason frame had also
broken through this crust and was coated in sulfur.
Quicktime: 9.1
MB | Windows Media 8.1
MB
Proper
Credits for the media:
Major funding for this expedition was provided by the following:
NOAA Ocean Exploration Program
NOAA Vents Program
All video clips were edited by Bill Chadwick, Oregon State University/NOAA
