Operation of the ROV Hercules has been suspended because of a problem with the ship’s bow thruster. In its place, the science team is using the Argus camera sled to continue exploration of the Thera caldera. Last night and
early today was spent mapping out an unusual field of hydrothermal vents in the northern part of the caldera. These vents appear as relatively small conical mounds with light colored tops (see fig.). As Argus flies over them they look very much like snow covered mountains and the science team enjoyed identifying their favorite peaks, like Mt. Rainier and Mt. Fuji. Others were flat topped and resembled the peaks in Utah’s Monument Valley.

The mounds likely consist largely of sediment and bacteria that are feeding off the warm fluids rising through the floor of the caldera. Most of
the vents were found in an area about 300 by 300 meters in the northern part of the caldera near the prominent fault line that connects the caldera with Kolombo volcano to the northeast.
This afternoon 5 members of the Boys and Girls Club arrived onboard to observe the ship operations and to participate in the Immersion Presents Broadcasts.

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