Deep Sea Moments No. 1
A chain of islands, the Tonga-Kermadec archipelago, stretches between Samoa and New Zealand. In addition to numerous islands, this volcanic arc contains an even larger number of seamounts, many of which are volcanically and hydrothermally active. Depending on the type and developmental phase of the volcanoes, the hydrothermal vents they contain vary greatly in temperature and composition. The video shows this contrast between the uninhabited sulphuric acid springs of the McCauley caldera and the extremely densely populated springs of the Huangaroa volcano to the south. The widespread colonies of barnacles, which filter plankton from the water, are striking. The high plankton density is due to the hydrothermal springs. The images were taken at water depths of 270 to 1,250 meters.
