Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos related to the Northeast Lau Response Cruise 2009 exploration, that took place from this May 5 to 13. Video and images were obtained by cameras mounted on the Jason II ROV remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The scientific party and Jason team were onboard the University of Washington research vessel R/V Thomas G. Thompson. The sound on the video clips was recorded separately by a hydrophone (underwater microphone) placed on the sea floor about 15 meters (50 feet) away and later synchronized to the video. The location of the summit of the West Mata volcano is 15° 05.68’S; 173° 44.95’W. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon is present, a video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Multiple video formats are available on the linked pages. If a Podcast icon is present, a video or audio file is available for download or you can subscribe to the RSS Podcast Feed.

If a slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

Video & Slideshows

Mission Summary
Extrusion of pillow lava flow below Hades vent, West Mata volcano.

Mission Summary
Intensive ash production at Prometheus vent, West Mata volcano.

Mission Summary
A "flame" at Prometheus vent with ash production on West Mata volcano.

Mission Summary
Swarming shrimp on the summit of West Mata volcano.

Mission Summary
Magma explosions feeding lava flows on West Mata volcano (Short).

Mission Summary
Jason gets a close view of magma explosions and lava flows on West Mata volcano (Short).

Mission Summary
See a slideshow of the Northeast Lau Response Cruise 2009 exploration's photos.

Mission Summary
See the playlist of all of the Northeast Lau Response Cruise video clips.

Images

Mission Summary
An explosion near the summit of West Mata volcano throws ash and rock, and molten lava glows below. (HR)

Mission Summary
The summit of the West Mata volcano is nearly a mile below the ocean surface (1,165 meters/ 3,882 feet), and the base. (HR)

Mission Summary
This map represents the cruise operations accomplished during the Northeast Lau Response Cruise in May 2009. (HR)

Mission Summary
An explosion near the summit of West Mata volcano throws ash and rock, and molten lava glows below. (HR)

Mission Summary
Superheated molten lava, about 2,200º Fahrenheit, is about to explode into the water. (HR)

Mission Summary
The orange glow of superheated magma, about 2,200º Fahrenheit, is exposed as pillow lavas extrude from the eruption. (HR)

Mission Summary
A close-up view of the shrimp at the summit of West Mata volcano. (HR)

The eruption produces a bright flash of hot magma that is blown up into the water before settling back to the sea floor. (HR)

The orange glow of magma is visible on the left of the sulfur-laden plume. (HR)

The Jason remotely operated vehicle (ROV) samples fluid at an eruptive area near the summit of the West Mata volcano. (HR)

The West Mata volcano is not the largest volcano in the Northeast Lau Basin, but appears to be the most active. (HR)

West Mata volcano is in the Northeast Lau Basin. (HR)

An area on the summit of the West Mata volcano erupts. At the bottom of the image is magma flowing down the slope of the volcano. (HR)

This is a side-view of an eruptive area, with magma and rock fragments cascading down the volcano’s slope. (HR)

These are consecutive images. The orange glow of superheated magma, about 2,200º Fahrenheit, ready to erupt. (HR)

Shrimp congregate near the summit of West Mata volcano and may be the same species as those found at eruptive sites more than 3,000 miles away. (HR)

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