Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition. Chemosynthetic microbial mats cover red algae and coral (which are photosynthetic). Hydrothermal vent and coral reef communities are overlapping here at 190 meters, something none of the scientists on the Submarine Ring of Fire Expedition have witnessed before.

Image ID: expl0035, Voyage To Inner Space - Exploring the Seas With NOAA Collect
Location: Mariana Arc region, Western Pacific Ocean
Photo Date: 2004 April
Credit: Pacific Ring of Fire 2004 Expedition. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Dr. Bob Embley, NOAA PMEL, Chief Scientist

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