Scientists Discover New Ecosystem Underneath Hydrothermal Vents

International science team discovers deep-sea habitats, evidence of hydrothermal animals, in volcanic cavities beneath the ocean floor  Video and photos available here. Balboa, Panama – A new ecosystem has been discovered in volcanic cavities beneath hydrothermal vents at a well-studied undersea volcano on the East Pacific Rise off Central America. The landmark 30-day expedition aboard … Continued

The Presence of Microplastics

At last, the day we’ve been waiting for is here! After what felt like forever of planning this cruise, today we finally departed from Balboa, Panama. The excitement is real, and I cannot wait to see what this journey has in store for us. I am part of the team from Aalborg University, and we … Continued

Curiosity-Driven Science – Week 2 Update

Working as part of a team on Research Vessel Falkor (too) creates a situation ripe for the spreading of knowledge and cross-collaboration. Scientists are close to – and may work on – projects that are not in their precise field of expertise. “Through doing that, you learn a lot about sort of different methods that … Continued

Scientists Discover New Deep-sea Octopus Nursery in Costa Rica

International team of scientists explored previously unseen seamounts in Costa Rica, found new active octopus nursery and witnessed babies hatching  Video and photos available here. Puntarenas, Costa Rica – A team of international scientists have discovered a new deep-sea octopus nursery at a low-temperature hydrothermal vent offshore of Costa Rica. The discovery of the brooding … Continued

Octopus Odyssey – 4K ROV Highlights

The scenes documented on video during the Octopus Odyssey expedition are stunning and informative. Of course, octopus were the “stars of the show:” we documented octopus nurseries with hundreds of Muusoctopus species brooding viable eggs in low-temperature hydrothermal fluids, saw how octopus mothers protect and clean their eggs, as well as observed predators rapidly descending … Continued

ROV Dives – Octopus Odyssey

More about the research HERE. Dive 529 - Dorado Outcrop Dive 529 Part 2 - Dorado Outcrop Dive 530 - Dorado Outcrop Dive 530 Part 2 -Dorado Outcrop Dive 516 - Continuing our Coral Search at Whiting Bank Date: April 27, 2023 Location: Whiting Bank, Atlantic Ocean off Puerto Rico Estimated Maximum Depth: 1180 meters … Continued

ROV Dives – Health Diagnostics of Deep-Sea Coral

More about the research HERE. Dive 503 - Diving to Desecheo Ridge Date: April 18, 2023 Location: Desecheo Ridge, Atlantic Ocean off Puerto Rico Estimated Maximum Depth: 800 meters Work Completed: Explored the lower ridge benthic cover while transiting up the Desecheo Ridge. Focused on measurements and collections at ca. 150-200 m. Dive 504 - … Continued

ROV Dives – In Search of Hydrothermal Lost Cities

On its inaugural expedition, Falkor (too) will head to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge with Chief Scientist Dr. David Butterfield from the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory – University of Washington, and his team to search for hydrothermal lost cities. In 2000, scientists found a hydrothermal vent system on the Atlantis Massif unlike any seen before. Ghostly towers made … Continued

ROV Dives – Interdisciplinary Investigation of the Pescadero Basin

During a 2018 expedition aboard R/V Falkor, Drs. David Caress, Ron Spelz-Madero, Raquel Negrete-Aranda, and Victoria Orphan, alongside a team of interdisciplinary researchers and engineers, explored the recently discovered Auka Vent Field. The Auka Vent field is a series of hydrothermal vents located in Pescadero Basin, one of several small ocean basins in the tectonically active Gulf of … Continued

ROV Dives – Designing the Future 2

The ocean’s midwater is considered to be the largest habitable space for life on earth, yet it is also one of the most minimally explored marine environments. Collecting specimens in this region is incredibly challenging, as many open ocean species are quick, fragile, and small. Keeping a midwater animal alive for study at the surface … Continued