Seascape Alaska 3: Aleutians Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping (EX2304)

Past Expedition

Primary Goal

Map, explore, and characterize ecologically and economically important deepwater habitats and subduction zone environments in unexplored regions off Alaska

Dates

July 14 - July 25, 2023

Location

Arctic

Vessel

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

Primary Technology

Multibeam sonar, remotely operated vehicles Deep Discoverer and Seirios

Expedition Summary

From July 14 – July 25, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners conducted the third in a series of Seascape Alaska expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. Over the course of 12 days at sea, the team conducted 6 full remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, mapped nearly 16,000 square kilometers (6,180 square miles), and collected a variety of biological and geological samples. When combined with numerous biological and geological observations, data from the Seascape Alaska 3: Aleutians Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition will help to establish a baseline assessment of the ocean environment, increase understanding of marine life and habitats to inform management decisions, and increase public awareness of ocean issues. View full expedition summary.

Operational Summary

Days at sea: 12
Full ROV dives: 6, ranging in depth from 780 to 2,800 meters (2,559 to 9,186 feet)
Biological samples collected: 22 primary samples, 31 associates
Geological samples collected: 6
Water samples collected for eDNA analysis: 28
Seafloor area mapped: nearly 16,000 square kilometers (6,180 square miles)
Science party participants: +40, from 5 countries
Live video views: Approximately 21,800

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

During the Seascape Alaska 3 expedition, the team completed a total of six full remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, exploring sites ranging from the water column to an extensive gas seep covered with tubeworms and an amazing coral garden. The data collected during mapping and ROV operations throughout the expedition will help to fill some of the gaps in our understanding of the deep waters around the Aleutian Islands. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Seascape Alaska. Download largest version (mp4, 274.2 MB)

Read full expedition summary

This Hemicorallium coral was observed during the second dive of the Seascape Alaska 3 expedition at a depth of approximately 2,270 meters (7,450 feet). This may represent the first observation of this genus of corals in the Aleutian Archipelago, which would make this a new range record for Hemicorallium.

Expedition Summary

From July 14 - July 25, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners conducted the third in a series of Seascape Alaska expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

September 29, 2023

Crossing Ocean Basins - Communicating Deep-Sea Exploration Across the Globe

When Rhian Waller, a researcher at the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory in Sweden, joined the Seascape Alaska 3 expedition as the biology science lead, Tjärnö Aquarium created a new exhibit to allow aquarium visitors to dive deep into the expedition and connect with science across the globe.

August 18, 2023

Att korsa hav – kommunikation av djuphavsutforskning från andra sidan världen

When Rhian Waller, a researcher at the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory in Sweden, joined the Seascape Alaska 3 expedition as the biology science lead, Tjärnö Aquarium created a new exhibit to allow aquarium visitors to dive deep into the expedition and connect with science across the globe.

August 18, 2023

View More View Less

United Nations Ocean Decade Endorses Seascape Alaska

August 8, 2023

An Introduction to the Geology of the Aleutian Islands

The deep waters offshore of the Aleutian Islands hold the keys to understanding a suite of important and fascinating geologic processes.

July 25, 2023

Inset and regional map showing location of the Aleutian trench and island arc; new seeps found by NOAA Ocean Exploration in May 2023 (yellow circles), including the Sanak seeps investigated in Dive 04; previously investigated seeps (purple circles); the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that occurred on July 16, 2023 (red star); and volcanoes (black triangles).

Newly Discovered Aleutian Margin Cold Seeps Host Gas Hydrate and Dense Colonies of Tubeworms

Dive 04 of Seascape Alaska 3: Aleutians Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition took place on July 18, 2023. During the dive, we explored Aleutian arc cold seeps (Sanak seeps) that were discovered only two months earlier during the Seascape 1: Aleutians Deepwater Mapping expedition. The dive at 2,100 meters (6,900 feet) water depth was carried out using NOAA Ocean Exploration’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer (D2). Exploration of the Sanak seeps resulted in the discovery of bubble plumes, gas hydrates, thousands of tubeworms, patches of chemosynthetic clams, and special rocks produced by microbial processes.

July 24, 2023

This sculpin was observed resting on a large red tree coral during a 2016 expedition in Glacier Bay National Park. Red tree corals have been shown to be the foundation of diverse deepwater communities in Alaska and are one of the types of corals we hope to see during the Seascape Alaska 3: Aleutians Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition.

Dive In To Alaska’s Deep Waters!

With its vast wilderness, diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, Alaska is a place of beauty and wonder. But did you know that the deep waters of Alaska hold their own secrets – from fascinating geological features like mud volcanoes and gas seeps to diverse and plentiful marine life, such as corals, sponges, and fish? This summer, prepare to deepen your perspective and join us LIVE for an expedition to explore what lies below the ocean’s surface off Alaska.

July 14, 2023

Summer Expeditions will Explore Widespread Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Communities in Alaska

In 2023, a series of expeditions will help NOAA and partners to better understand the diversity and extent of ecologically important seafloor communities in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska.

July 5, 2023

NOAA In Alaska

While the Seascape Alaska 3: Aleutians Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition marks the first time that NOAA will use telepresence technology to engage scientists and members of the public in dives to explore deep waters off Alaska, NOAA and partners have been conducting research and operations in the Alaska region for years to support the sustainable management and conservation of Alaskan habitats and marine species, coastal community resilience, research and operations, and weather and climate monitoring and forecasts.

July 3, 2023

Beautiful imagery of a red jellyfish (genus Poralia) taken using the new 35mm still camera system on remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer during the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition.

New 35mm Still Camera Developed by the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration Brings Greater Resolution to Underwater Images

Engineers from the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE) have developed a prototype 35mm digital still camera for use on NOAA Ocean Exploration’s deep submergence vehicle Deep Discoverer (D2).

June 30, 2023

Expedition Overview

From July 14 - July 25, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners conducted the third in a series of Seascape Alaska expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in order to map, explore, and characterize ecologically and economically important deepwater habitats and subduction zone environments in unexplored regions off Alaska

June 22, 2023