Hundreds of towering hydrothermal chimneys discovered on seafloor off Washington

In the dark ocean depths off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, a magical fairyland of towering spires and hydrothermal chimneys sprout from the seafloor, a stunning new underwater map reveals.

These towers belch superheated liquid warmed by magma deep inside Earth.

The field of hydrothermal chimneys stretches along the ocean bottom on the Juan de Fuca Ridge to the northwest of coastal Washington state, in an area known as the Endeavor Segment.

Continued...
Source

(Image: Copyright 2020 MBARI)

An autonomous diving robot captured the vents in unprecedented detail.

Source / Image Courtesy

(Image credit: Copyright 2020 MBARI)

"Black smokers," such as this one in the Endeavour vent field, belch superheated fluids at over 570 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Centigrade) into the surrounding seawater.

Source / Image Courtesy

This incredible active hydrothermal vent was imaged for the first time during the 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas expedition.

It was 30 meters high and gushing high-temperature fluid full of metal particulates.

This vent was home to many different species, including Chorocaris shrimp, Munidopsis squat lobsters, Austinograea crabs, limpets, mussels, and snails.