The trackline and area of operations for the 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping expedition (EX2604). The inset depicts a close-up of the area around Jarvis Island where extensive bathymetric mapping data ...

From this video, which shows the beautiful characteristic spiral of Iridogorgia corals, it’s not hard to see why these corals are sometimes likened to fireworks. This genus of deep-sea corals is in ...

During Dive 02 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, the team encountered a variety of marine life, including a crinoid, a white flatworm, and a dandelion siphonophore. The ...

Increase mapping coverage of deepwater regions of American Samoa and the south and central Pacific Ocean. Beginning on September 24, NOAA Ocean Exploration will spend several days mapping unexplored ...

From August 20 to September 17, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will conduct a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and mapping expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to explore deep waters in and ...

Crew from NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and Hibbard Inshore preparing the Saab Sabertooth hybrid autonomous underwater vehicle/remotely operated vehicle (AUV/ROV) for deployment ...

During Dive 12 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, we saw a variety of glass sponges, including this stalked Caulophacus sponge that was more than 3 meters tall (9.8 feet) ...

This large senesced sponge stalk provided habitat for a brisingid sea star, crinoids, a Poliopogon sp. sponge, a barnacle, and small amphipods. Seen during Dive 12 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + ...

The final dive of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition took place on a seamount in the Samoa Basin, approximately 120 miles south of Rose Atoll. The dive started at a depth of ...

Omics - the study of DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites - delivers transformational insights that advance ecosystem understanding, strengthen environmental monitoring, and enable sustainable ...

Dive 11 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition took place on an abyssal plain in the eastern portion of the Muliāva unit of National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and ...

Dive 10 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition took place on an abyssal nodule field, parts of which had been mapped and imaged using an autonomous underwater vehicle during ...