2006
Videos: Ocean Explorer Return to the Mariana Arc
The edited video clips show highlights from Daikoku
dives with the JASON II remotely operated vehicle. These
movies are larger format versions (480 x 360) of the video clips available
on the NOAA
Ocean Exploration web site, along with images and logs from the
expedition.
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Sulfur
Cauldron was discovered on the western slope of Daikoku submarine
volcano at a depth of 410 meters, ninety meters below the summit.
Here molten sulfur is bubbling out of the ground and is accumulating
in a pond that is 5 meters long and 3 meters wide. The molten sulfur
that is black because of impurities mixed with the sulfur.
Quicktime:
9.0 MB |
Windows Media:
8.2 MB |
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Molten
sulfur and volcanic gases are bubbling out of a vent along the far
wall of Sulfur Cauldron and keep the partially crusted surface of
the pond undulating. Sometimes the heaving is so great that pieces
of crust near the vent break off, tip on end, and are pulled downward
by the convecting currents in the pond. Quicktime:
9.0 MB |
Windows Media:
8.2 MB |
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One
of the amazing sights at Sulfur Cauldron was seeing flatfish swimming
out on the crusted-over surface of the molten sulfur pond! These fish
live on the adjacent slopes of the volcano in hydrothermal areas,
but to see them on the sulfur pond was mind-boggling! Why would they
do that?
Quicktime:
9.0 MB |
Windows Media:
8.2 MB |
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Jason
II measures the temperature of the sulfur pond (187°C) and then
takes a sample of the molten sulfur with a homemade ladle made from
a coffee can attached to a long pole. By the time the can is lifted
to take a look at it, the sulfur is already solidified.
Quicktime:
9.0 MB | Windows Media:
8.2 MB |
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A
dense group of tonguefish on the sedimented seafloor at Daikoku. The
fish are more active than they appear at first glance.
Quicktime:
9.0 MB | Windows Media:
8.2 MB |
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A
dead mid-water fish floated down to the seafloor and is attacked by
tonguefish at Daikoku.
Quicktime:
9.0 MB | Windows Media:
8.2 MB |
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