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Information

 

Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos taken during the Expedition to the Deep Slope exploration that took place May 7 - June 2, 2006. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a QuickTime video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Other video formats are available on the linked pages. If a Podcast icon slideshow icon is present, a video or audio file is available for download or you can subscribe to the RSS Podcast feed. NOAA Podcast RSS 2.0 Feed

If a slideshow icon slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

camera icon Video & Slideshows

Witness an underwater wave pass across the surface of the Brine Lake.

slideshow icon camera icon May 31
Witness an underwater wave pass across the surface of the Brine Lake. (Quicktime, 792 Kb)

The Avon and Atlantis are a welcome sight for scientists after every ALVIN dive.

camera icon May 24
The Avon and Atlantis are a welcome sight for scientists after every Alvin dive. (Quicktime, 1.2 Mb)

ALVIN pilot Pat Hickey collects one of the largest specimens of Bathymodiolus brooksi that we've ever seen.

camera icon May 20
Alvin pilot Pat Hickey collects one of the largest specimens of Bathymodiolus brooksi ever seen. (Quicktime, 2.0 Mb)

Sea cucumbers are a common component of deep sea fauna.

camera icon May 19
Sea cucumbers are a common component of deep-sea fauna. (Quicktime, 582 Kb)

Video of the interface between an extensive mussel bed on a large mud flow and brine seep feature.

camera icon May 17
Video of the interface between an extensive mussel bed on a large mud flow and brine seep feature. (Quicktime, 2 Mb)

This short video clip shows a very 'quick' subset of a typical ALVIN launch.

camera icon May 15
This short video clip shows a very "quick" subset of a typical Alvin launch. (Quicktime, 2.0 Mb)

The submersible pilot grabs one of corers with the manipulator and pushes it into the sediment.

camera icon May 10
The submersible pilot grabs one of corers with the manipulator and pushes it into the sediment. (Quicktime, 778 Kb)

A large carbonate outcrop with a number of tubeworms, Escarpia, around the edges.

camera icon May 9
A large carbonate outcrop with a number of tubeworms, Escarpia, around the edges. (Quicktime, 2.0 Mb)

View a visual collection of highlights from Expedition to the Deep Slope 2006.

slideshow icon Slideshow
View a visual collection of highlights from Expedition to the Deep Slope 2006. (HR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images

This giant isopod is a representative of one of approximately nine species of large isopods.

Mission Summary
This giant isopod is a representative of one of approximately nine species of large isopods. (HR)

The ALVIN submersible is rolled out of its hangar and back to the ATLANTIS fantail along a special curved railroad track.

Mission Summary
The Alvin submersible is rolled out of its hangar and back to the Atlantis fantail. (HR)

Final safety checks are carefully run before the A-frame gently lowers ALVIN into the Gulf of Mexico.

Mission Summary
Final safety checks are carefully run before the A-frame gently lowers Alvin into the Gulf of Mexico. (HR)

ALVIN Pilot-in-Training Anton Zafereo carefully removes a bag of shrunken Styrofoam cups destined for use by educators and students around the Nation.

Mission Summary
Alvin pilot-in-training Anton Zafereo carefully removes a bag of shrunken Styrofoam cups destined for use by educators and students. (HR)

Map of the world's ocean showing target areas for Biogeography of Chemosynthetic Ecosystems research.

June 1
Map of the world's ocean showing target areas for Biogeography of Chemosynthetic Ecosystems research.

ALVIN pilot Gavin Eppard snagged this heaping scoop of mussels at Atwater Valley 340.

June 1
Alvin pilot Gavin Eppard snagged this heaping scoop of mussels at Atwater Valley 340. (HR)

The tubeworm Escarpia spicata and the seep community at 1900 m.

June 1
The tubeworm Escarpia spicata and the seep community at 1,900 m. (HR)

This sample of a seep community off of the western coast of Africa was taken with a box corer.

June 1
This sample of a seep community off of the western coast of Africa was taken with a box corer. (HR)

Jake, AKA Granddad Stache, enjoys a brief respite from skiing with the family.

June 1
Jake, aka Granddad Stache, enjoys a brief respite from skiing with the family.

Final safety checks are carefully run through before the ALVIN descends to the seafloor.

June 1
Final safety checks are carefully run through before the Alvin descends to the sea floor. (HR)

Calm seas and a beautiful sunrise greet the R/V Atlantis in the Gulf of Mexico.

June 1
Calm seas and a beautiful sunrise greet the R/V Atlantis in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

 

After a successful ALVIN launch, second mate Pete Leonard pilots the Avon back to the R/V Atlantis.

May 31
After a successful Alvin launch, second mate Pete Leonard pilots the Avon back to the R/V Atlantis. (HR)

ALVIN Chief Pilot Bruce Strickrott peers out of the ALVIN while flying along the seafloor.

May 31
Alvin chief pilot Bruce Strickrott peers out of the submersible while flying along the sea floor. (HR)

This stunning octopod, seemed quite interested in ALVIN's port manipulator arm.

May 31
This stunning octopod, seemed quite interested in Alvin's port manipulator arm. (HR)

 

 

A photograph of the hard coral Madrepora oculata.

May 30
A photograph of the hard coral Madrepora oculata. (HR)

A red gorgonian from the Coral Garden.

May 30
A red gorgonian from the Coral Garden. (HR)

Purple soft coral from the coral garden.

May 30
Purple soft coral from the Coral Garden. (HR)

A white bamboo coral with extended polyps.

May 30
A white bamboo coral with extended polyps. (HR)

Cindy Petersen is still all smiles after dissecting several hundred smelly sulfide-laden mussels.

May 28
Cindy Petersen is still all smiles after dissecting several hundred smelly sulfide-laden mussels. (HR)

TDI-Brooks geochemist Bernie Bernard gives Cindy Petersen a chemistry lesson.

May 28
TDI-Brooks geochemist Bernie Bernard gives Cindy Petersen a chemistry lesson. (HR)

Liz Goehring and Cindy Petersen display the recovered replicates.

May 28
Liz Goehring and Cindy Petersen display the recovered replicates. (HR)

Liz Goehring holds the recovered Classroom to Sea RUST experiment.

May 28
Liz Goehring holds the recovered Classroom to Sea RUST experiment. (HR)

Every movement the Alvin makes is recorded by computers on board the ship and on the Alvin itself.

May 26
Every movement the Alvin makes is recorded by computers on board the ship and on the Alvin itself. (HR)

This single image was used in a mosaic of a mussel bed at Atwater Valley 340.

May 26
This single image was used in a mosaic of a mussel bed at Atwater Valley 340. (HR)

This photomosaic is a careful compilation of multiple images taken of a mussel bed.

May 26
This photomosaic is a careful compilation of multiple images taken of a mussel bed. (HR)

The pictures show madrepora coral with a sea star and purple sponges on carbonate boulders.

May 26
The pictures show Madrepora coral with a sea star and purple sponges on carbonate boulders. (HR)

The R/V Atlantis and DSV ALVIN combine to form one of the premier ocean science exploration and research tandems.

May 24
The R/V Atlantis and DSV Alvin combine to form one of the premier ocean science exploration and research tandems. (HR)

Bosun Wayne Bailey directs deployment of the beam trawl.

May 24
Bosun Wayne Bailey directs deployment of the beam trawl. (HR)

Early launch and recovery operations to provide training for the younger crewmembers.

May 24
Early launch and recovery operations to provide training for the younger crewmembers. (HR)

 

 

This image shows a large plume of methane-rich water, visible as a dark cloud.

May 23
This image shows a large plume of methane-rich water, visible as a dark cloud.

Kazumi Shibata, a WHOI technician, directs the winch operator during the CTD deployment.

May 23
Kazumi Shibata, a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution technician, directs the winch operator during the CTD deployment.

Profiles of temperature (dark blue), salinity (red) and dissolved oxygen (light blue).

May 23
Profiles of temperature (dark blue), salinity (red) and dissolved oxygen (light blue). (HR)

Explorer Vladimir Samarkin prepares to extract methane from a water column sample.

May 23
Explorer Vladimir Samarkin prepares to extract methane from a water-column sample. (HR)

The Atlantis crew shuttles additional members of the science party to the ship from the Gyre.

May 21
The Atlantis crew shuttles additional members of the science party to the ship from the Gyre. (HR)

ALVIN captured this image of the elusive coral garden with the downward looking still camera.

May 21
Alvin captured this image of the elusive Coral Garden with the downward-looking still camera. (HR)

Gavin Eppard pays close attention as the sub is gently lowered into the Gulf of Mexico.

May 21
Gavin Eppard pays close attention as the sub is gently lowered into the Gulf of Mexico. (HR)

This map shows the ALVIN dive track along the seafloor.

May 21
This map shows the Alvin dive track along the sea floor.

Scientists discovered several communities of football-size mussels, Bathymodiolus brooksi.

May 20
Scientists discovered several communities of football-size mussels, Bathymodiolus brooksi. (HR)

The symbionts in B. heckerae are much more closely related to the symbionts in a species of mussel off the western coast of Africa.

May 20
The symbionts in B. heckerae are much more closely related to the symbionts in a species of mussel off the western coast of Africa. (HR)

The image shows the two types of symbionts found in Bathymodiolus brooksi.

May 20
The image shows the two types of symbionts found in Bathymodiolus brooksi.

 

 

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi student Adriana Leiva is all smiles during her dive in the ALVIN submersible.

May 19
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi student Adriana Leiva is all smiles during her dive in the Alvin submersible. (HR)

ALVIN video camera just prior to submergence.

May 19
The Alvin video camera just prior to submergence.

A close-up of a Lamellibrachia sp. community in the deep Gulf of Mexico.

May 19
A close-up of a Lamellibrachia sp. community in the deep Gulf of Mexico. (HR)

Adriana is greeted by several buckets of water immediately after exiting the sub.

May 19
Adriana is greeted by several buckets of water immediately after exiting the sub. (HR)

Once back on the ship, Harry Roberts excitedly describes the findings from ALVIN dive 4181.

May 17
Once back on the ship, Harry Roberts excitedly describes the findings from Alvin dive 4181. (HR)

The distinct interface between a very extensive mussel bed on the perimeter of a large mud flow.

May 17
The distinct interface between a very extensive mussel bed on the perimeter of a large mud flow.

An expanse of what appears to be Beggiatoa bacterial mats.

May 17
An expanse of what appears to be Beggiatoa bacterial mats.

Large aggregations of sea urchins plowing through the bottom sediments near seep sites.

May 17
Large aggregations of sea urchins plowing through the bottom sediments near seep sites. (HR)

Giant tubeworm, Riftia pachyptila, from the hydrothermal vents at the East Pacific Rise.

May 16
Giant tubeworm, Riftia pachyptila, from the hydrothermal vents at the East Pacific Rise. (HR)

Chemoautotrophic whale-fall community, including bacteria mats.

May 16
Chemoautotrophic whale-fall community, including bacteria mats. (HR)

Bacterial mats, mussels, and tubeworms are common at cold seeps.

May 16
Bacterial mats, mussels, and tubeworms are common at cold seeps. (HR)

 

 

Silhouetted by the morning sun, the ALVIN is gently lifted off the deck of the R/V Atlantis.

May 15
Silhouetted by the morning sun, the Alvin is gently lifted off the deck of the R/V Atlantis. (HR)

A solitary coral-like polyp captured with the downward looking still camera on the ALVIN.

May 15
A solitary coral-like polyp captured with the downward-looking still camera on the Alvin. (HR)

This image of tubeworms and a variety of mussel species was taken with the downward-looking still camera.

May 15
This image of tubeworms and a variety of mussel species was taken with the downward-looking still camera. (HR)

Evidence of human activity extends even hundreds of miles from shore and 2200 meters below the ocean surface.

May 15
Evidence of human activity extends even hundreds of miles from shore and 2,200 m below the ocean surface. (HR)

Senior Research Technician Guy Telesnicki works late into the evening preparing science equipment.

May 14
Senior research technician Guy Telesnicki works late into the evening preparing science equipment. (HR)

Chief Scientist Chuck Fisher and Guy Telesnicki discuss the placement of gear on the science basket.

May 14
Chief Scientist Chuck Fisher and Guy Telesnicki discuss the placement of gear on the science basket. (HR)

Chief Pilot Bruce Strickrott runs ALVIN through a pre-dive safety check.

May 14
Chief pilot Bruce Strickrott runs Alvin through a pre-dive safety check. (HR)

The results of a successful collection with the Bushmaster Jr.

May 14
The results of a successful collection with the Bushmaster Jr. (HR)

Scientists corral the divers to hear more about any discoveries during their eight hour round-trip to the seafloor.

May 13
Scientists corral the divers to hear more about any discoveries during their 8-hr round-trip to the seafloor. (HR)

A close-up of the undescribed Lamellibrachia sp.

May 13
A close-up of the undescribed Lamellibrachia sp. (HR)

A close-up of the plume of the undescribed Lamellibrachia species.

May 13
A close-up of the plume of the undescribed Lamellibrachia species. (HR)

 

 

The ATLANTIS crew gently lifts the first beam trawl of the cruise from the water.

May 12
The Atlantis crew gently lifts the first beam trawl of the cruise from the water. (HR)

Bob Carney and Matt Kupchik cautiously place a cooler to contain the trawl's muddy catch.

May 12
Bob Carney and Matt Kupchik cautiously place a cooler to contain the trawl's muddy catch. (HR)

Stephane Hourdez carefully washes away a few handfuls of mud through 2mm by 2mm mesh.

May 12
Stephane Hourdez carefully washes away a few handfuls of mud through 2- by 2-mm mesh. (HR)

Members of the science party gather around while Bob Carney describes the hidden treasures we have captured.

May 12
Members of the science party gather around while Bob Carney describes the hidden treasures we have captured. (HR)

The ALVIN submersible begins its descent to 1200m.

May 10
The Alvin submersible begins its descent to 1,200 m. (HR)

This image taken from ALVIN shows a lone tubeworm bush growing among a number of porous carbonate boulders.

May 10
This image taken from Alvin shows a lone tubeworm bush growing among a number of porous carbonate boulders.

Erin Becker of Penn State University searches for organisms hidden within an oil-stained sediment sample.

May 10
Erin Becker of Penn State University searches for organisms hidden within an oil-stained sediment sample. (HR)

 

 

A small orange crab near a few scattered tubeworm individuals at 2180 meters depth in Atwater Valley.

May 9
A small orange crab near a few scattered tubeworm individuals at 2,180 m depth in Atwater Valley. (HR)

The front of the Alvin submersible up against a rocky outcrop with tubeworms and mussels.

May 9
The front of the Alvin submersible up against a rocky outcrop with tubeworms and mussels. (HR)

Mark Spear is welcomed back onboard the ATLANTIS.

May 9
Mark Spear is welcomed back onboard the Atlantis. (HR)

 

 

The colors on this reflectivity map describe the hardness of the seafloor surface.

May 8
The colors on this reflectivity map describe the hardness of the sea-floor surface.

Subbottom profile showing a fluid and gas expulsion site with a highly reflective seafloor.

May 8
Sub-bottom profile showing a fluid and gas expulsion site with a highly reflective sea floor.

Sub-bottom profile image of bubble plume rising from the seafloor.

May 8
Sub-bottom profile image of bubble plume rising from the sea floor.

Small oil droplets that have seeped through the sediment.

May 8
Small oil droplets that have seeped through the sediment.

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