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Vents Program NOAA
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Researching the effects of underwater hydrothermal venting systems
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  Vents Geology Program  
 

image of lava flowOverview

The NOAA/VENTS Geology Program aims to understand how submarine volcanic activity affects hydrothermal venting along the mid-ocean ridge system. The ultimate heat source for all hydrothermal venting is molten rock within the Earth. Individual volcanic events bring this heat close to the surface where it can be released into the ocean, along with chemicals that sustain unique biological environments (both on and below the seafloor). Therefore, we are especially interested in studying the sites of recent submarine eruptions. Our current efforts are mainly focused on the Juan de Fuca and Gorda Ridges in the NE Pacific. (Image above courtesy of Daniel J. Johnson).

blue ball icon Check out recent highlights from NeMO:

NeMO web site (on-going research at a seafloor observatory at Axial Volcano)
NeMO Dive! site (simulated dive to the seafloor with a remotely operated vehicle)
NeMO Explorer web site (virtual seafloor landscapes, fly-thru movies, panoramas)
NeMO Education web site (curriculum for middle and high school teachers)

blue ball icon Other items of interest:

Recent submarine eruptions
Instruments and methods
Video clips from the seafloor
Study areas
Upcoming plans

blue ball iconPersonnel and affiliations

NOAA/PMEL, Principal Investigator
Ridge crest processes and seafloor mapping
CIMRS/Oregon State University, Associate Professor
Volcanology and seafloor deformation
CIMRS/Oregon State University, Research Scientist
Seafloor mapping and data processing
 
  last updated: 01/10/06 by Bill Chadwick  
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Building 3
Seattle, WA 98115-6349
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Hatfield Marine Science Center
2115 SE Oregon State University Dr.
Newport, OR 97365
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