Many of the volcanic seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska are visible on this bathymetric map. Only a few of these have been studied. Five more seamounts will be explored this summer. Click image for larger view.
Exploring Alaska's Seamounts
June 22-July 15, 2002
Highlights of Gulf of Alaska Seamount Exploration
This summer, with the use of the Alvin submersible, scientists studied several unexplored seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to understand how they formed and to determine their volcanic history. They also characterized GOA's unique habitats, and explored the diverse communities of organisms such as fish and invertebrates that exist around these undersea mountains. Scientists examined various aspects of deep-sea corals and sclerosponges, and observed and collected several deep ocean crab species. A photographic inventory of the unique flora and fauna of each seamount was developed.
Background information for this exploration can be found on the left side of the page. Daily updates are included below. More detailed logs and summaries of exploration activities are found on the right.
Updates & Logs
Click images or links below for detailed mission logs.
July 15 A brief recap of the under sea garden that is Warwick Seamount in today's log.
July 14 These corals' unique appearances are reminiscent of bamboo. Today, a scientist discusses what information is known about bamboo corals as well as the difficulties in taxonomic identification encountered with them. Watch a video of an elegant crinoid gracefully swimming during Alvin's last dive. (QuickTime, 152 Kb)
July 13 Sue Doenges, a Midwestern teacher, reveals her experience at sea, including working with the science party, as well as befriending the crew of the Atlantis. 
July 12 How would you like to live in the jaws of a monster? Some animals do. Also read about what scientists are learning from water, sediment and bacteria samples, all in today's log.
July 11 Join the field trip in volcanology as the Chirikof seamount is explored. Watch a video of Alvin collecting volcanic rock samples. (QuickTime, 1.1Mb)
July 10 Join an undergraduate student as she takes her first research cruise. Also the Alaska Seamount team takes a look back in time.
July 9 The Alaska Seamount team has begun the second leg of the exploration. It's a crab eat crab world on submerged seamounts. Most crabs observed by the science team have missing limbs, or worse.
July 8 Learn how seamounts are measured. Take a virtual flight through the Gulf of Alaska submerged seamounts. (Quicktime, 582k) Take a virtual flight through the Patton seamount. (QuickTime, 624 Kb)
July 7 Corals can be found in cold, deep waters as well as warm tropical waters. Many marine organisms use corals as a habitat. Watch a video of coral from one of the recent dives. (QuickTime, 728k)
July 5 The Alaska Seamount team has reached port in Kodiak, Alaska. Tours of the R/V Atlantis were given. Those attending included various school groups, the US Coast Guard, the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, and other groups.
July 2 The Alaska Seamount team has completed the first leg of the mission and is in transit to Kodiak, Alaska for an Open House. Watch a video of squids from one of their final dives. (QuickTime, 500k)
July 1 Seamounts exist in the oceans as isolated islands with a wide variety of biological life. How is life on these seamounts affected by changes in seamount geology? Read an answer.
June 27 Dives were completed on Murray Seamount. The science party also took samples of sediment, rocks, coral and crabs, plus digital video and still images of organisms and seamount structures. Watch the submersible collect a crab sample from Murray Seamount. (QuickTime, 2.6Mb)
June 26 Reports from the field indicate the Alvin was successfully launched today. Read a log from the ship about submersible launch, communications, and more.
June 25 Rough seas and severe weather greeted the exploration team as they headed to the first dive location on Murray Seamount. Read about the impact that high seas have on the science party.
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