Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition. Fluffy white bacterial mat covers yellow corals and the surrounding rocks near the shallow summit of East Diamante volcano. The corals are dependent on sunlight whereas the mat uses the chemical energy from hydrothermal fluids seeping out of the volcano.

Image ID: expl0055, 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

• High Resolution Photo Available