'Mysterious' Ring of Fire exhibit coming to the Newport Aquarium in March 2018

After teasing us with mysterious hints all week, the Newport Aquarium announced on Friday morning that a new Ring of Fire exhibit will open in March. The new exhibit will feature the animals that have been most requested by visitors, including a giant Pacific octopus, a moon jellyfish breeding program and Japanese spider crabs. "The ecology and the biology around the Ring of Fire is one of the most intriguing elements of the oceans," said Eric Rose, Newport Aquarium executive director. "It's fascinating how awesome Mother Nature and the ocean are to have animals that thrive in that turbulent environment." Inspired by the volcanoes and earthquakes that define the Ring of Fire surrounding the Pacific Ocean, the exhibit will feature periodic displays of glowing light and rumbling sounds. Guests can explore the Octopus Den, a cavelike space under an arched rock portal never before accessible to the public. A new display of moon jellyfish will showcase hundreds of the animals as they flutter and float. Finally, a cylindrical tank will allow 360-degree views of the Japanese spider crabs, which can grow up to 12 feet long from claw to claw, making them the largest crab in the world.