Small crabs and shrimp are actively roaming the venting area.


Small crabs (~4 to 10 cm) actively roam the venting area. Japanese biologists first discovered the species in the upper right inset on a seamount at the northern end of the Mariana Arc. Its sceintific name is Austinograea yunohana, which means "flower of sulphur." The tiny vent shrimp (~1.2 in, ~3 cm) in the lower right inset are probably feeding on bacterial mat coating the rocks. Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2004 Exploration, NOAA Vents Program.

 

Related Links

Submarine Ring of Fire 2004

Submarine Ring of Fire 2004: April 2 Log

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery