Log Post: Data Storytelling

In September of 2024, Artist-at-Sea Jill Pelto joined the Fire & Ice: Volcanic & Glacial Interaction expedition led by Dr. Sebastian Watt, University of Birmingham, UK. Pelto is an artist and science communicator based in Washington. She was intrigued by the opportunity to study the underwater effects of a 2008 volcanic eruption that dramatically transformed the landscape and lives of the people of Chaitén, Chile. 

Log Post: A Landscape Transformed | Fire and Ice: Volcanic and Glacial Interactions

Southern Chile is a landscape shaped by glaciation and volcanism, and this cross-disciplinary international science team is working on R/V Falkor (too) to reveal the imprint of the 2008 Chaitén volcanic eruption on the marine environment. Their #EruptionArchives research will help unlock deeper-time records of significant volcanic eruptions in the region, allowing scientists to reconstruct … Continued

Log Post: A Mosaic of Life | High Seas and Seamounts of the Nazca Ridge

Since January 2024, Schmidt Ocean Institute has supported several scientific explorations, including the most recent #NazcaHighSeas expedition, to study biodiversity and oceanographic conditions along the Nazca, Salas y Gómez, and Juan Fernandez Ridges. International scientists have used the technology and expertise available on the Research Vessel Falkor (too) for data collection and a scientific examination … Continued

Log Post: Living Fossils of the Atacama Trench | 4K ROV Highlights

An international team of scientists spent two weeks exploring deep waters off the coast of Chile. They set out to characterize the microbial and macrofaunal communities surrounding the Atacama Trench. The researchers observed incredible biodiversity, collected samples for further study, and located Chile’s deepest and most northern cold seeps. At 2836 meters deep, the seeps … Continued

Log Post: Methane Seeps | Living Fossils of the Atacama Trench | Video Update

Searching for tiny bubbles of methane percolating from the seafloor in the deep Ocean takes a dedicated team of scientists and engineers, a robotic guide, and a healthy dose of patience and persistence. During the #AtacamaTrenchAncients expedition, an international team of scientists searched for and found the deepest methane seep documented off the coast of … Continued

Log Post: Guaranteed Discovery | Video Update

In the past decade, Chile has actively promoted the establishment of expansive marine protected areas, including the Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park, the Juan Fernández Sea Protected Area, and the Juan Fernández Marine Park. These areas are among the largest marine protected zones globally. The biodiversity in these regions exhibits a remarkable level of endemism, with around … Continued

Log Post: Harnessing Innovative Web Tools for Deep-Sea Research and Conservation

Studying the deep ocean has undoubtedly emerged as a key area of scientific curiosity, excitement and inspiration. In recent years, advancements in technology have propelled deep-sea research to new heights, revolutionizing how we gather, interpret, and share vital information. The integration of cutting-edge tools like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and high-resolution … Continued