Faith in Independent Thinking – Science Story

“If I had to explain to an Extraterrestrial what life in my home planet is, I would never even mention a human – Life in my home planet is truly microbes living in an ocean of darkness.” It isn’t often we get to share a video containing deep-sea science, a total solar eclipse, heavy metal, … Continued

Deep-Sea Exploration in Latin America

Traducción al español a continuación Have you ever been afraid of the dark? I remember that when I was little, I was always scared when my parents turned off the lights in my room because I thought there could be monsters in the darkness that would harm me. Today, it amazes me that living in … Continued

Ultra Fine-Scale Seafloor Mapping

Expedition dates: October 25 - November 23, 2023 Seafloor mapping is integral to oceanographic research. Bathymetric data illustrate the seafloor’s depth, contours, and physical features, and it is often the first essential step in planning a successful submersible operation. The typical tool for seafloor mapping, multibeam sonar, creates three-dimensional topographical outlines—rather than visual images. Physical … Continued

Vertical Reefs of the Galápagos

Expedition dates: September 18 - October 19, 2023 The Galápagos Islands are home to a dazzling array of cold-water corals. While they are understudied compared to the shallow-water corals, a subset of these deep-dwelling animals is even more shrouded in mystery—cold-water corals living on cliffs. The depth and inaccessibility of vertical corals to ship-based sensors … Continued

Al País de Aguas Profundas – Week 2 Video Update

English translation below “Creo que la expedición es una gran oportunidad para que los costarricenses conozcamos mejor nuestro mar profundo, ya que realmente somos un país de mar profundo. La tercera parte de nuestro país está por debajo de los 3000 m y protegiendo este patrimonio que tenemos, pero que recién estamos conociendo, es extremadamente … 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

Todo está Conectado

Perspectivas sobre la conectividad del área de estudio, a nivel regional, entre la columna de agua y el fondo marino, implicaciones para la gestión e investigación. English Translation Below “Todo está conectado”…. Una frase muy trillada que aplica de manera perfecta para lo que sucede en el océano, un medio que obedece las leyes de … Continued

Fluid Flow through the Crust

Traducción al español a continuación In addition to the biologists studying octopus, the science party on the Falkor (too) includes a geophysicist (me) and a hydrogeologist (Dr. Rachel Lauer).  Our role is to study what is happening beneath the seafloor to understand better the “plumbing” that moves fluids into and out of the ocean crust, … Continued

Odyssey Origins – Week 1 Video Update

The Octopus Odyssey expedition is currently underway in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Costa Rica, with the objective of investigating underwater mountains that scientists believe harbor distinctive habitats and biodiversity. The multidisciplinary science team aims to gain a deeper understanding of the hydrogeology, microbiology, ecology, and geochemistry that potentially contribute to the captivating … Continued

Returning to the Dorado Outcrop

Traducción al español a continuación The Octopus Odyssey expedition has begun! Our goal is to return to the place where deep-sea octopus were first discovered brooding their eggs in low-temperature hydrothermal fluids venting from a tiny outcrop of rock offshore Costa Rica, at a depth of over 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet). In 2013, a … Continued