Von Damm Vent Field (image)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Caption

ROV Little Hercules is exploring the spire at the Von Damm vent field. Located at 2350 meters' depth on the Mid-Cayman Rise, hydrothermal fluids emanate from the Von Damm vent field at temperatures as high as 226°C (439°F). The new study determined that the methane contained in the fluid leached from sub-seafloor rocks, and was not formed through hydrothermal vent circulation, as had been previously thought.

Credit

Photo by NOAA Ocean Exploration Program / Okeanos Explorer

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