(a) Anemones are common and often quite dense on the pillow basalts of northernmost vent fields along the Eastern Lau Spreading Center. The anemones reside in close proximity to vent flows where they can access higher prey densities supported by enhanced local primary production. (b) A canonical “bullseye” assemblage of Alviniconcha spp. snails shown in the middle, surrounded by Ifremeria nautilei snails and Bathymodiolus brevior mussels. Alviniconcha spp. occupy the region of greatest exposure to vent fluid.

Pre- and post-eruption Biomarker 141 animal communities at the East Pacific Rise. (upper) A well-developed Bathymodiolus thermophilus assemblage with galatheid crabs along the central eruptive fissure on the AST floor in May 2005 (pre-eruption). (lower) The same location hosting an actively colonizing Tevnia jerichonana tubeworm community November 2006, after the 2005-2006 eruptions. Field of view across the bottom of each photo is ~2 m. Copyright Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Species (common):
Year: 2012
Details:
Media Type: Photograph
Data Type:
Device Type: Camera:Digital

Diagram of a hypothetical basalt-colonizing microbial community at the oxic/anoxic interface of a diffuse flow vent. (1) A low-complexity community of chemosynthetic (straight, abundant) and heterotrophic (curved & red, sparse) bacteria attaches to the basalt and establishes a biofilm. When chemosynthetic bacteria oxidize sulfur species, they mobilize heavy metals, increasing their toxicity. (2) Bacteria in biofilms produce EPS, which sequester heavy metals, reducing their toxicity. Heterotrophic bacteria actively detoxify heavy metals.

A simple model depicting how the interaction between larval biology and currents may affect dispersal among hydrothermal vent communities. Larval physiology, development, and behavior influence the vertical distance above the vent that a larva may travel, as well as the amount of time it spends in the water column. Planktonic larval duration (PLD) and position interact with currents to alter transport distance.

Video showing thermistor array deployed at Axial Volcano at the Juan de Fuca Ridge, and the time-lapse thermal map generated from it.
Species (common):
Year: 2009
Details:
Media Type: Video
Data Type: Photograph:Video
Device Type: Camera:Video
Feature: JdF:Axial
Investigator: Raymond Lee
Expedition: AT15-51
Chief Scientist: Andrew Fisher
Species:

Image of clams Calyptogena magnifica, mussels and sponges at Calyfield along the Galapagos Rift. These clam shells are the size of soup bowls, and can be as large as dinner plates. The fuzzy gray material on the rocks is a new species of sponge that was identified at this site. Image courtesy of Dr. Timothy Shank, WHOI. Copyright WHOI.
Species (common):
Year: 2002
Details:
Media Type: Photograph
Data Type: Photograph
Device Type: Camera:Digital
Feature: GalapagosRift
Investigator: Timothy Shank
Expedition: AT07-13
Chief Scientist: Stephen Hammond
Species:

Galatheid crabs, or squat lobsters, are scavengers that live throughout the global ocean. They are commonly found in large numbers near hydrothermal vents where food is plentiful. They eat bacteria and dead animals. Image courtesy of Dr. Timothy Shank, WHOI and Dr. Richard Lutz, Rutgers U. Image acquired using a high-definition camera mounted on Alvin that was provided by W. Lange, WHOI. Copyright WHOI.
Species (common):
Year: 1999
Details:
Media Type: Photograph
Data Type: Photograph:Video:FrameGrab
Device Type: Camera:Video:HD
Feature: EPR:9N:9_50
Investigator: Timothy Shank

Dumbo octopi have ear-like fins protruding from the top of their head-like bodies. These fins resemble the ears of Walt Disney's flying elephant, Dumbo. They live at extreme depths of 3000–4000 m, but have been found at depths of up to 7000 m. They hover above the sea floor, searching for worms, bivalves, and crustacea, and consume their prey by swallowing it whole. Image courtesy of Dr. Timothy Shank, WHOI and Dr. Richard Lutz, Rutgers U. Image acquired using a high-definition camera mounted on Alvin that was provided by W. Lange, WHOI. Copyright WHOI.
Species (common):
Year: 1999

Organisms from hydrothermal vent communities at the Rosebud vent field along the Galapagos Spreading Center (GSC) include tubeworms (Riftia pachyptila), crabs, anemones, and shrimp.
Species (common):
Year: 2002
Details:
Media Type: Video
Data Type: Photograph:Video
Device Type: Camera:Video
Feature: GSC
Investigator: Daniel Fornari
Expedition:
Chief Scientist:
Species: Riftia pachyptila (Tube worm)