Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition. While attempting to sample an outcrop of hydrothermally altered lava, the view changed rapidly (over a 2 minute time span ) from good visibility to chunks of rock, sulfur and ash totally obscuring the outcrop from our view . The outcrop is ~ 40 cm high. This view is is midway in the process.

Image ID: expl0061, 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