Hercules and the ROV crew were busy today collecting new observations inside the crater of Kolombo volcano. The most significant find was a field of hydrothermal vents along the northern floor of the crater. Remarkable streams of white bacterial material like rivers were found emanating from openings on the seafloor. At the source of these “streams” the temperature
of the fluids being discharged was up to 70 degrees centigrade. We also found chimneys constructed from hydrothermal minerals that are up to 4 meters in height. These chimneys are populated by a variety of organisms
including tunicates hanging of the sides like pinecones (see figure).

Sampling of the top of one of the larger chimneys revealed bright orange,
red and black stratified hydrothermal mineral deposits. We are now proceeding to the Thera caldera to begin a new series of dives
and prepare for the upcoming Immersion Presents Broadcasts.

Figure Caption: View of hydrothermal chimney discovered on the northern floor of Kolombo crater. Translucent organisms growing on the sides the chimney are tunicates. The height of the chimney is about 4 meters.