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The red arc of seamounts shows the
Mariana volcanoes under study. The dark blue color indicates the Mariana
trench, the deepest place on the planet. |
The Mariana
Volcanic Arc extends from 13°N to 23°N in the western Pacific
Ocean, northwest of Guam. The Marianas region contains 9 volcanic islands
more than 50 submarine volcanoes over a distance of more than 1000 km.
The summits of these submarine volcanoes range from 50 m to more than
1800 m below sea level. The Marianas is one of the most active volcanic
arcs on Earth.
In February
2003, the Vents Program conducted an extensive survey of the submarine
volcanoes in the Mariana Arc (funded in part by NOAA's Ocean Exploration
Program). This expedition included detailed mapping of the seafloor and
a search for indications of hydrothermal venting at each volcano. It was
found that about 20% of the Marianas submarine volcanoes were hydrothermally
active. A follow up expedition with a remotely operated vehicle will investigate
these sites on the seafloor.
For more
information on the Marianas see:
2006:
Ocean Exploration Ring of Fire website
2004:
Ocean
Exploration Ring of Fire website
Cruise
report (pdf)
Multimedia gallery (Vents
Program |
Ocean Explorer)
2003:
Ocean
Exploration Ring of Fire website
Cruise report
(pdf)
Expedition
photo and video log
updated 4/2006
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