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Gifts from the Deep

Researchers searched for signs of deep-sea eruptions in the rocks they collected during a spring cruise to hydrothermal vent sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Older rocks look dull, while freshly-erupted rocks have a glassy sheen, evidence of more recent volcanic activity. Pete Liarikos (right), boatswain on the research vessel Knorr, operated the rock dredge while researchers and students waited to take a closer look. They collected several hundred pounds of rocks in the dredge’s chain bag during the month-long expedition.(Photo by Ellen Roosen, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)