Schmidt Ocean Institute Advances R/V Falkor (too)’s Mapping Capabilities

Schmidt Ocean Institute reconstructs the bow of R/V Falkor (too), adds a high-performance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to its advanced technology suite, and reaches a major milestone: 2 million square kilometers of seafloor mapped to date. Video and photos available here. Palo Alto, California, USA — Schmidt Ocean Institute announces it has mapped 2 million … Continued

Pioneering Study Unites Physics, Geology and Biology in Argentina’s Submarine Canyons

Scientists map four submarine canyons and collect critical data on how underwater currents interact with the canyons, providing insights into the physical and chemical dynamics that support rich biodiversity in Argentina’s waters. Video and photos available here. Palo Alto, California, USA — Scientists on an Argentinian-led expedition onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) deployed … Continued

Vibrant Coral Reefs Discovered in Historic Exploration of Uruguay’s Deep Sea

On a groundbreaking expedition, scientists discovered bustling fields of deep coral reefs that are threatened globally and at least 30 potential new species, and visited the wreck of the ROU Uruguay for the first time. Video and photos available here. Palo Alto, California, USA — An international, Uruguay-led team of scientists discovered that the deep-sea … Continued

First Confirmed Footage of a Colossal Squid—and it’s a Baby!

One hundred years after its discovery, the colossal squid has been filmed alive in its environment for the first time by a team on board Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) in waters off the South Sandwich Islands. Video and photos available here. PALO ALTO, California– An international team of scientists and crew on board … Continued

Thriving Antarctic Ecosystems Found in Wake of Recently Detached Iceberg

Scientists explore a seafloor area newly exposed by iceberg A-84; discover vibrant communities of ancient sponges and corals. Video and photos available here. PUNTA ARENAS, Chile— An international team on board Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) working in the Bellingshausen Sea rapidly pivoted their research plans to study an area that was, until last … Continued

Schmidt Ocean Institute Completes First Expedition To Antarctica

R/V Falkor (too) successfully conducted a sea ice to seafloor transect in the Weddell Sea, livestreamed the polar seafloor worldwide. Video and photos available here. PUNTA ARENAS, Chile— After a year of preparing the ship and crew, Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) has completed its first science expedition to Antarctica. The three-week expedition, … Continued

Scientists Document Rich Biodiversity Along Underexplored Chilean Coastline

An international team maps four unnamed underwater canyons, explores nearly 20 methane seep ecosystems thriving without sunlight, and uncovers a dazzling array of otherworldly creatures, including suspected new species. Video and photos available here. PUNTA ARENAS, Chile – An international team of scientists on board a recent Schmidt Ocean Institute R/V Falkor (too) expedition surveyed … Continued

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