Shrimp City on Toto Caldera Chimneys
While diving ROV Hercules on Toto Caldera, we came across an area affectionately nicknamed “Shrimp City” due to the abundance of Rimicaris spp. vent shrimp. These unique crustaceans are only found in chemosynthetic habitats like the spire-like chimneys formed by hydrothermal activity. In this video, expedition Co-Lead Scientist Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe explains more about this incredible deep-sea animal that spends its days grazing on chemosynthetic bacteria thriving on sulfur chimneys. Toto Caldera is a seamount located about 75 nm southwest of Guam and part of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and Mariana Arc of Fire National Wildlife Refuge.
The Mattingan: Mariana Arc Volcanic Exploration (NA171) expedition is exploring deep-sea areas identified by the local management and science community, including sites with signatures of active volcanism, abyssal plain habitats, and areas in and around the Monument where new data can support resource management priorities. This expedition is supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the US Geological Survey via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute.
Mariana Arc Volcanic Exploration
E/V Nautilus will begin the 2025 season exploring the ocean of the Mariana Islands- one of the most tectonically and volcanically dynamic locations on the planet. This area is home to one of the most active arc volcanic systems on Earth with more than 60 submarine volcanoes, and a back-arc spreading center where new seafloor is created.
