Abstract: Detection of hydrothermal vents is an international hot spot. There are various detection technology and methods for the detection. Deep Tow and Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) are important and popular technology , which is described in this paper with a focus on the combination characteristics of integration Deep Tow. According to the demand of exploration on hydrothermal vents and the advantages of both methods, a new method is presented, which is a joint exploration by both techniques. The effectiveness of the new method is discussed using an example of an actual exploration on East Pacific Rise. This new method can reduce the blindness of dive of AUV, by using the survey result of Deep Tow instead of the first phase of normal AUV survey, so the exploration time will be shortened. Two important factors, correcting the actual site of Deep Tow and the effect of current and topography on deployment to the hydrothermal vent, have been identified on the spot detection and data analysis. This study provides an important guidance for future exploration on hydrothermal vents.

Key words: Deep Tow, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle , ocean ridge, hydrothermal vent exploration