Cruise: Seamounts, Canyons & Reefs of the Coral Sea

As ocean temperatures increase, a pressing global challenge in marine science is to better understand the distribution and characteristics of the critical habitats that support mesophotic and deep-water coral communities. 

Log Post: With Bells On!

Mariana looks at the buoy drifting away from R/V Falkor. She has done it countless times before; but as she assists in the deployment of the snifel off of the ship’s aft deck, the familiar anxiety comes back all the same. Designed to measure the speed of the exchange of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere … Continued

Log Post: Mysteries of Perth Canyon

Although we were able to collect the missing ROV part this morning, there is yet another obstacle to clear before we can explore the Canyon for the first time. As soon as we headed back out to the open ocean, we were met with strong winds and swell that persisted throughout the day. This wild weather … Continued

Cruise: The Great Australian Deep-Sea Coral and Canyon Adventure

Rising water temperatures and increasing carbon dioxide concentrations remain among the greatest threats to ocean ecosystems globally. This warming trend and associated ocean acidification poses a unique threat to species that use calcium carbonate to build their shells or skeletons, such as corals.

Log Post: Loihi Seamount – Ironed Out

Like all good things, the Loihi Seamount excursion has come to an end. Close to two weeks onboard the R/V Falkor, and our science crew is leaving with enough data to keep them busy for the next six months. All in all, we had seven AUV Sentry deployments to the two deep regions of Loihi … Continued

Log Post: First Impressions – Exploring RV Falkor

At last, R/V Falkor has entered the Indian Ocean for the first time in her history and is now docked at Henderson, just 35 km (22 miles) south of Perth, where final preparations are made for the upcoming Perth Canyon cruise. Scientists, visitors, and journalists took this opportunity to visit Falkor and participate in a lecture about … Continued

Cruise: Listening for Cryptic Whales Species

This expedition will feature exploration of the Emperor Seamount Chain while researching biodiversity and its drivers. Using currents, mapping, and radio isotopes to track water masses – as well as genetic sampling of corals – the team will determine the driving force behind coral distribution in this region.

Person: Conall McNicholl

Conall is a currently a biology major in his senior year at Temple University.  His ongoing research project at Temple involves ocean acidification and the physiological responses of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa.  This is Conall’s first scientific research cruise and he is excited to gain a lot of experience at sea.  On board the … Continued

Log Post: Crashing a Microbial and Viral Party in the Deep Sea

The deep sea is a hostile environment to most life. There is little by the way of food or other resources. To make matters worse, no light reaches the depths of the oceans. Amidst this darkness exist hot spots of chemical activity in the ocean bed known as hydrothermal vents, fertilizing the oceans with chemicals … Continued

Log Post: Secrets at the Surface

Picture Mount Everest, and, on top of that, add One World Trade Center four times over (~36,000 ft total), now imagine a credit card (~1 mm) sitting on top. The former gives some sense of scale for the deepest point on planet Earth, the Mariana Trench; the latter is the thickness of the sea surface … Continued