AXIAL 2002

This year we once again pick up the story of life in the caldera of axial volcano - but this year something is different. In fact, this year, everything is different. Has the environment changed; the strange spectrum of life down here? Almost certainly. It's always changing. But no, the real difference this year is that we're seeing it through new eyes; better eyes. In fact, it's almost as though you could make the water disappear and walk on the ocean floor.

The 'eyes' are provided by what may very well be the highest resolution undersea digital camera currently in existence. This remarkable instrument, developed jointly by the Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility and DeepSea Power and Light, has produced images of such clarity and resolution that even those most experienced in the field are in awe of the results.

The camera uses an 11mm (2/3 type) colour CCD with over 5 million effective pixels. Five times optical zoom and ten times optical/digital zoom provide a (35mm equivalent) focal range of 39 - 190mm at f2.0 - f2.4. This very 'bright' lens allows excellent results using existing vehicle lights. A video feed to the surface (with onscreen display) allows set-up and framing in real time. Images are stored at the source and may be remotely downloaded via EtherNet connection. The unit and controller are housed in 5000m rated titanium. The camera housing has an optically corrected domed lens. This ground breaking tool for undersea research and intervention will be offered as a commercial product available soon from DeepSea Power and Light.

Once again, the ROPOS vehicle was up to the challenge presented by an ambitious, multi-disciplinary mission. We would like to thank the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for making us a part of this expedition.

Telephone: 250 363-6332

May 31, 2005