Pacific Ring of Fire Expedition. Photograph of three small (~30 cm tall) activel y venting spires sitting on top of one of the chimneys in the Black Forest vent field. The chimneys themselves are about 7 m tall. The fluids here are venting at 240øC and are expelling black (mineral-rich) smoke in the ocean.

Image ID: expl0106, 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

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