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

Dynamics of Sinking Microplastics

Expedition dates: August 2 - August 7, 2023 Plastic pollution is pervasive in our Ocean. The most prevalent component of plastic pollution isn’t large pieces of trash floating on the surface, but tiny bits of waste called “microplastics” that are found throughout the water column. Ranging from 5 mm in diameter (a pencil eraser) down … Continued

Microplastics of the Alaskan Gulf

R/V Falkor travels from Oregon up to the Alaskan Gulf on an expedition to better characterize organisms in the Abyssal Plain region and determine the extent microplastics can be found in these deep systems.

Tracking the Tasman Sea’s Hidden Tide

The first ever comprehensive study of the largest, most focused internal tide on the planet, which moves across the Tasman Sea each day. During this expedition, researchers will amass data that will improve general understanding of the phenomenon, as well as the ability to incorporate internal tide effects accurately in climate models.

Net Gains at Station ALOHA

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.

Mixing Up the Tropical Pacific

Research suggests that small-scale turbulence could play a large role in how the ocean absorbs heat, a key factor in the onset of El Niño events. In July, Falkor traveled to the central equatorial Pacific to give researchers a first view of this smaller scale turbulence.