Colour everywhere!

On Tuesday and Wednesday the dives were made by Cecile and Carla, respectively on Shimmering mound and Mount Shinkai.

The objective of these two dives in areas that were not very active or inactive was to take temperature measurements and samples of fluids and rocks. The data will help to better understand and document these structures which are witness to extinct or declining hydrothermal activity. DEEPSEED colonizers were also deposited at each site to track the colonization of organisms in these environments. Sampling with IBIS was carried out on Mount Shinkai to study the microorganisms present in this area.

In both dives the seabed was often covered with more or less oxidized sulphide deposits forming colour palettes ranging from bright red to yellow to orange. It makes a great change from pillows! (to Cecile’s great joy).