Hydrothermal vent and hydrocarbon seeps have been an important subject of oceanographic research over the last 35 years. Nevertheless, there are still many long-standing questions about these dynamic ecosystems, including their distribution and abundance in our ocean.
While methane may not be the best known greenhouse gas, it nevertheless greatly impacts the climate system of our planet. Seafloor methane emissions have been documented for several decades, with newer evidence suggesting that methane bubble plumes from the deep sea are far more numerous than previously assumed.
Conducting research with multiple underwater vehicles takes a huge amount of deliberation and coordination that is based on data gathered well before the work even takes place. But what happens if the environment you work on is constantly changing?
The Mariana region is home to the Mariana subduction system. This November, scientists shed light on the Mariana back-arc spreading center looking for new sites of hydrothermal activity.
The Mariana region is home to the Mariana subduction system. This November, scientists shed light on the Mariana back-arc spreading center looking for new sites of hydrothermal activity.
The very deepest reaches of the sea are one of the planet’s last true frontiers. In November, RV Falkor sailed to the Mariana Trench with a group of biologists and geologists to conduct a new study of one of the deepest places in the world.
December, Falkor returned to the Mariana Trench focusing on collecting trench bacteria, animal samples, and the first-ever recordings of sounds from such depths.
Using a combination of bathymetric mapping and magnetic readings, scientists hope to explain how the world’s largest volcano was built.
Since 1988, oceanographers have been studying a patch of deep blue 60 miles north of Oahu known as Station ALOHA. But despite extensive work there, much remains unknown about the diversity of the area’s zooplankton.
The focus was on inspiring student participants to move toward careers in ocean science, and for those already headed that direction, to provide much needed training for future expeditions.
