Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition

Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition. Small crabs (
-10 cm) are actively roaming the venting area. This species was first discovered on a seamount at the north end of the Mariana Arc by Japanese biologists. Its name is Austinograea yunohana; yunohana, meaning “flower of sulphur” (upper right inset).The vent shrimp (
-3 cm) are probably feeding on bacterial mat coating the rocks (lower right inset).

Photo Category: Ocean exploration
Photo Location: Mariana Arc region, Western Pacific Ocean
Photo Date: 2004 April