In June and July 2011, we were participating in the Sonne cruise 216 from Townsville (Australia) to Madang (PNG).

The main aspects of this cruise were to investigate the interactions between fluids, minerals, and organisms in sulphur-dominated hydrothermal vents in the tectonically very active eastern Manus Basin near Papua New Guinea with the ROV “Quest 4000m”. Diffuse and focussed hot fluids were sampled in 1200 – 1700m depth using the ROV-based sampling systems KIPS (Kiel Pumping System) and IGT (Isobaric Gas-Tight).  The main targets were North Su, a conical-shaped volcano rising from 1700 to 1150 m water depth and the PACManus area with several areas of hydrothermal discharge like Fenway, Snowcap, Tsukushi, Satanic Mills, as well as Romans and Roger’s Ruins.

Next to this, also extensive bathymetric and geological mapping was conducted in the study area with the 12 kHz Simrad EM120 multibeam system, the Atlas Parasound PS70 system and a TV-Grab.