ROV Little Hercules exploring the spire at the Von Damm vent field. Located at 2350 meters’ depth on the Mid-Cayman Rise, hydrothermal fluids emanate from the Von Damm vent field at temperatures as high as 226°C (439°F). The new study determined that the methane contained in the fluid leached from sub-seafloor rocks, and was not formed through hydrothermal vent circulation, as had been previously thought. (Photo by NOAA Ocean Exploration Program / Okeanos Explorer)

Full resolution (750 × 544)
ROV Little Hercules exploring the spire at the Von Damm vent field. Located at 2350 meters' depth on the Mid-Cayman Rise, hydrothermal fluids emanate from the Von Damm vent field at temperatures as high as 226°C (439°F). The new study determined that the methane contained in the fluid leached from sub-seafloor rocks, and was not formed through hydrothermal vent circulation, as had been previously thought. (Photo by NOAA Ocean Exploration Program / Okeanos Explorer)