Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition

Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition. Active “smoker” chimneys precipitating iron, copper and zinc sulfides from 230øC fluid. 9 meters tall from the base to the top of the chimneys seen in the photograph. Dark beehive-type chimneys, here about 30 cm tall, commonly sit on top of these structures.

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