**IMAGE CAPTIONS: SUBMARINE RING OF FIRE 2006 - MARIANA ARC**

**advancing-flow-sulfur-rks-zoom.jpg**

Pieces of lava coated in yellow sulfur stand out at the leading edge of
an advancing lava flow on the seafloor at NW Rota-1 volcano. Bubbles of
carbon dioxide are also streaming upwards as gases escape from the lava.
*Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 Exploration, NOAA Vents
Program.*

**fault-shrimp-vent.jpg**

This rock is covered with the two species of shrimp that live at the
hydrothermal vent sites on NW Rota-1 volcano. One species grazes on
bacterial mat (the white patches at the top of the image) and the other
species is carnivorous, feeding on the grazer species and other
mid-water animals that are killed by the toxic plume above the volcano.
*Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 Exploration, NOAA Vents
Program.*

**lava-extrusion.jpg**

The eruptive activity at Brimstone Pit at NW Rota-1 volcano, although
intense at times, was usually limited to a small area because of the
dampening effect of the surrounding water. Pulses of lava repeatedly
rose in the vent and exploded apart as volcanic gases were violently
released. *Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 Exploration,
NOAA Vents Program.*

**red-rock.jpg**

During a particularly intense eruptive burst at NW Rota-1 volcano,
glowing red lava jets explosively out of Brimstone Pit (frame-grab from
video). This sight had never been seen before underwater and was simply
jaw-dropping! *Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2006
Exploration, NOAA Vents Program.*

**shrimp-zoom.jpg**

A close-up view of shrimp living near seafloor hot-springs at NW Rota-1
volcano. The yellowish coating on some of the shrimp is apparently from
iron or sulfur that accumulates on their carapace. The pinker shrimp
have probably molted more recently. *Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of
Fire 2006 Exploration, NOAA Vents Program.*

**sulfur-cloud-bubbles.jpg**

A degassing event at Brimstone Pit at NW Rota-1 volcano released an
extraordinary number of bubbles (probably carbon dioxide). The yellow
parts of the plume in the background contain tiny droplets of molten
sulfur. *Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 Exploration, NOAA
Vents Program.*

**sulfur-plume.jpg**

A view looking down on an advancing lava flow at NW Rota-1 volcano,
partially obscured by a plume of volcanic gases. The yellow parts of the
plume contain tiny droplets of molten sulfur; the white plume contains
other mineral particles, like alunite ( an aluminum-bearing sulfate).
*Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 Exploration, NOAA Vents
Program.*

**volcanic-bombs1.jpg**

An explosive burst from Brimstone Pit on NW Rota-1 volcano throws out
rocks propelled by violently expanding volcanic gases. Note the large
blocks falling downward (at top and right) with a wispy white plume in
their wake. In three international expeditions spanning more than two
years, this submarine volcano has been observed erupting during every
visit. *Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 Exploration, NOAA
Vents Program.*

**volcanic-bombs2.jpg**

Lava rocks are violently ejected outward from an explosive burst from
Brimstone Pit at NW Rota-1 volcano. If we were observing this type of
activity on land we would have to run for our lives! But at a depth of
560 meters (1837 feet) the pressure reduces the power of the explosions.
Also, the surrounding seawater quickly slows down any rocks and ash that
are thrown out of the vent. *Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire
2006 Exploration, NOAA Vents Program.*