Massive Sequoia Hydrothermal Vent Amazes Science Team

Like a castle, or a giant redwood, the 30+ meter high Sequoia Vent wowed our Corps of Exploration while diving ROV Hercules on the Hafa Adai Vent Field. Explored during the Mattingan expedition, this dive was the first return visit since the vent's discovery nearly a decade ago. Sequoia was one of the largest and most extensive chimney formations in this area, showcasing the region’s intense volcanic and hydrothermal activity. The “skyscraper” vent, nearly as tall as a ten-story building, was covered in wildlife adapted to thrive in this chemosynthetic environment, like shrimp, snails, crabs, and limpets. Watch as our Zeus camera zooms in on the “bacterial gardens” that make a home for barnacles and other animals found only in these unique environments. 

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.