Overview

The NOAA/VENTS Geology Program aims to understand how submarine volcanic activity affects hydrothermal venting along the mid-ocean ridge system. The ultimate heat source for all hydrothermal venting is molten rock within the Earth. Individual volcanic events bring this heat close to the surface where it can be released into the ocean, along with chemicals that sustain unique biological environments (both on and below the seafloor). Therefore, we are especially interested in studying the sites of recent submarine eruptions. Our current efforts are mainly focused on the Juan de Fuca and Gorda Ridges in the NE Pacific. (Image above courtesy of Daniel J. Johnson).

Check out recent highlights from NeMO:

NeMO web site (on-going research at a seafloor observatory at Axial Volcano)
NeMO Explorer web site (virtual seafloor landscapes, fly-thru movies, panoramas)
NeMO Education web site (new curriculum for middle and high school teachers)

Other items of interest:

Recent submarine eruptions
Instruments and methods
Video clips from the seafloor
Study areas
Upcoming plans

Personnel and affiliations