ROV Dive S0471 - Auka Vent Field

Join ROV SuBastian from the RV Falkor for the ninth dive of the Interdisciplinary Investigation of the Pescadero Basin expedition. This is the first dive of the third leg, primarily focused on the biological component. The Auka Vent Field in the South Pescadero Basin consists of eight large edifices and several small hydrothermal features spanning 600 m in a south to north orientation. Auka was discovered during a 2015 MBARI expedition when Mapping AUV surveys revealed apparent vent features and subsequent ROV dives confirmed active venting with carbonate dominated chimneys and edifices. This dive has 5 primary objectives: (1) collect rock samples for microbial community and activity analyses from Z vent (2) sample animals at Z vent and from the surrounding area (3) deploy colonization arrays at top of Z vent and (4) collect push cores and corresponding temperature profiles at oily mat site. (5) fly over survey the areal extent of mats around Z vent. If time, we will collect major water and gas tight sample