Diagram of hydrothermal plume system and monitoring instruments. Click for full size.

Plume studies have been conducted on the Juan de Fuca Ridge each year since the inception of the VENTS program. This includes extensive conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) mapping using both vertical casts and the "tow-yo" technique, light attenuation measurement, water sampling for chemical analysis using SUAVE. Our repeated plume measurements permit the study of the long-term evolution of seafloor venting, as well as the discovery of new vents.

See more at the Hydrothermal Plume Studies site.