[3][4] The Von Damm vent field is located centrally on the Mid-Cayman Rise between the Oriente and Swan Island transform faults.

[6] The field is composed of two main regions, north and south, on overlapping talc mounds linked by locations of diffuse flow.

[9] The Von Damm vent field consists of talc mounds, which have exposed mafic or ultramafic rocks such as gabbros or peridotites containing the mineral olivine.

Chimney structures at the Von Damm field are of varying shapes and sizes, but tend to also consist of talc precipitates.

[7][6] Upon discovery, this mineralogy was unique to Von Damm, as other vent fields displayed chimneys of calcium carbonate or metal sulfides.

In addition to shrimp, squat lobsters, and anemones, Von Damm features extensive coverage of limpets over rocky faces, eelpout fish at venting areas, and tube worms similar to those observed in the Pacific.

Von Damm is a location which has much in common with other vents situated on ocean core complexes such as the Lost City field at the Atlantis Massif.

Tube worms are a staple to many venting fields in the Pacific but are rarely found in the Atlantic, which has sparked interest from biologists regarding potential migrations between oceans for a variety of factors.