Underwater volcanic vent. This is a black smoker, a seabed volcanic vent where minerals dissolve in water superheated by magma (molten rock). The minerals precipitate out on contact with the cold surrounding water, producing 'smoke' (black). The minerals form multicoloured crusts around the vent, causing them to grow into tall chimneys over time. Photographed in the Caribbean in 2010, using the remotely controlled HyBIS (Hydraulic Benthic Interactive Sampler) submersible. This submersible was operated by researchers from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK.