This is your first stop with ROPOS. The lava appears somewhat sedimented, indicating that it is probably not new. The crabs and octopus are mobile and do not give any information on lava age. The key information on lava age is from the sessile sponges and seafans, because they take years to become established (they are only found on old lava). The brittle star and sea cucumber are deposit feeders and generally do not inhabit vent areas.

-> Old lava, uncollapsed

-> No hydrothermal vent

-> Old non-vent biological community