Join us for the INDEX 2010: 'Indonesia-USA Deep-Sea Exploration of the Sangihe Talaud Region'. This unique expedition to one of the most biologically diverse areas of the world’s ocean will help advance our understanding of undersea ecosystems, particularly those associated with submarine volcanoes and hydrothermal vents. The geographical area of operation is located entirely within the ‘Coral Triangle Region’, the global heart of shallow-water marine biodiversity. This will also be the first time scientists use a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to get even a glimpse of deepwater biodiversity in the waters of the Sangihe Talaud Region. During the expedition U.S. and Indonesian scientists will work side-by-side on two ships, the Okeanos Explorer and the Indonesian research vessel Baruna Jaya IV, and at Exploration Command Centers ashore. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/dailyupdates.html http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/media/10index_signature_image_100.jpg http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/dailyupdates.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The INDEX SATAL 2010 Expedition officially ended today, bringing to a close the first-ever U.S.-Indonesia joint ocean exploration expedition. Sun, 8 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/aug8_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer INDEX SATAL 2010 Operations are completed, and both NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and Indonesian Research Vessel Baruna Jaya IV arrive at the port of Bitung. Sat, 7 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/aug7_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Scleractinian hard coral imaged by the Little Hercules ROV at 1382 meters depth. Based on published results, this coral may be 1,000 to 6,000 years old. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/aug6_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Video at 1,382 meters depth of Scleractinian hard coral that scientist think may be 1,000 to 6,000 years old. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0806_scleractinian_coral_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 13 was conducted on a seamount discovered by Indonesian Research Vessel Baruna Jaya IV during recent mapping operations. Large barrel sponges and their associates were observed during the dive. Thu, 5 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/aug5_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer See stunning video of a deep-ocean sea spider measuring eight to 12 inches across at dive site #13, a seamount discovered by the Indonesian Research Vessel Baruna Jaya IV during its mapping operations. Thu, 5 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0805_sea_spider_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 12 took place on a mound feature referred to as “Memeridge”. A purple sea cucumber with a high “spike” protruding from its dorsal section was seen on this dive. Wed, 4 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/aug4_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer See video of a purple sea cucumber with a high “spike” protruding from its dorsal section discovered on a mound feature referred to as “Memeridge”. Wed, 4 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0804_sea_cucumber_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 11 took place on Kawio Barat submarine volcano. The dive started at the wall vents visited during previous dives and focused on documenting the white smoker area. 0.5 to 1 meter tall active and inactive spires were seen on the summit of the Kawio Barat submarine volcano. Tue, 3 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/aug3_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer View video of the Kawio Barat submarine volcano active white smoker vents during dive #11. Tue, 3 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0803_kawio_barat_vents_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 10 took place in an area recently mapped by the Indonesian Research Vessel Baruna Jaya IV. The dive site is referred to as “Zona Senja”, or “Twilight zone” as the depth range resides in the transition zone between the photic zone and deep-sea. A stunning 10-armed sea star was captured by the Little Hercules ROV at 271 meters depth. Mon, 2 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/aug2_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer View a video of galatheid crabs feasting opportunistically on a pelagic catch during dive number 10 that took place in an area referred to as “Zona Senja”, or “Twilight zone” as the depth range resides in the transition zone between the photic zone and deep-sea. Mon, 2 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0802_galatheid_crabs_feast_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 9 took place in an area recently mapped by the Indonesian Research Vessel Baruna Jaya IV. Fauna associated with the wood falls here included squat lobsters, urchins and serpulid worms. Sun, 1 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/aug1_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer View video footage by the Little Hercules ROV of a drifting jellyfish encountered with its tentacles extended. Sun, 1 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0801_red_jellyfish_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Okeanos Explorer spent the day mapping, acquiring high-resolution multibeam data in the northeast of our approved area of operation. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july31_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 8 of Leg 3 took place on a site termed Eastern Pujada Ridge. Latitude: 5d 24.202032’ N / Longitdue: 126d 35.404107’ E Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july30_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 7 of Leg 3 took place at 'Kawio Barat' submarine volcano. Latitude: 4d 40.579849’ N / Longitude: 125d 05.240244’ E Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july29_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 6 of cruise leg 3 is conducted at a seafloor feature referred to as 'Landak'. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july28_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer View video footage of a chimaera swimming in the near freezing waters of the abyss, at a seafloor feature referred to as Landak. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0728_chimaera_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 5 of leg 3 was conducted today on a submarine volcano termed "Site K". Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july27_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer View spectacular video footage of a benthopelagic sea cucumber swimming in the near freezing waters of the abyss, approximately 3200 meters deep. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0727_sea_cucumber_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dive number 4 of cruise leg 3 is conducted on the submarine volcano termed "Site G". Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july26_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer July 25th marked the third dive of cruise leg 3, on an underwater volcano referred to as "Site G". Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july25_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer View spectacular video footage of brittle stars interwined in purple coral at approximately 1800 meters. Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0725_purple_coral_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The ROV was deployed today for its second dive of cruise leg 3 on "Site T", a submarine volcano in the southwest corner of the INDEX SATAL 2010 operating area. Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july24_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The first ROV dive of Leg 3 is complete! The ROV was launched at 0400 local time today on "Site K", marking the first dive of cruise leg 3. Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july23_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The ship departed Bitung, Indonesia this morning and set to sea. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july22_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This map show areas mapped as well as the locations of CTD casts and ROV dives during Leg II. Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july14_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Towards the end of our final dive of Leg II, we came across interesting geologic features around 800. This image shows what appears to be iron staining around cracks. Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july13_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The vehicle captured the underside of this galatheid crab clinging to a coral on July 12. Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july12_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Image of the sea spider seen during the dive on July 11. Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july11_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Close-up of large purple spoon worm seen during the dive on July 10. Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july10_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This image captures ROV Team member Tom Kok’s first stint in the ROV Pilot’s chair. Veteran Dave Wright sits behind him to provide guidance and advice as needed. Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july9_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer We imaged this purple octopus with large glassy eyes during dive #8. Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july8_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Silhouetted image of the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer bridge. Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july7_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This close-up could almost pass for a flower in your garden, but it just happens to be a deep-sea animal captured by the ROV camera around 1000m below sea level. Wed, 06 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july6_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This close-up image of a crab on a deepwater coral is a frame grab from the ROV high definition video camera. Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july5_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Flags of the United States of America, Republic of Indonesia, NOAA Corps, and Okeanos Explorer Commissioning fly above the bridge. Sun, 04 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july4_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Multibeam map of the Naung site using 20m grid cell size. Personnel used this map to plan the ROV dive. Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july3_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This close-up image of a deepwater coral is a frame grab from the ROV high definition video camera. Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july2_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Image of the breathtaking squid captured on camera during ROV Dive 3. Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/july1_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Image of hydrothermal vents found during the second ROV dive on Kawio Barat. The yellow deposits are molten sulfur. Multiple species of hot-vent shrimp are also visible. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/june30_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer At 1704 local time, the Little Hercules ROV was safely back on deck after completing the first dive during the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer's maiden voyage. We'll save a substantive update on our findings for a full web log, but it's safe to say that we confirmed previous indications of hydrothermal activity on Kawio Barat. Dave Lovalvo, ROV Operations Coordinator, and his team deserve a big congratulations for today's milestone! Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/june29_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The shipboard and shore-side team continued preparations for the our first ROV dive which is scheduled for tomorrow. We spent today continuing our multibeam mapping survey and outlining the dive plan for tomorrow. The deck and ROV crews completed a final dry run of the first ROV launch. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/june28_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Between 2001 and 2003, Indonesian and Australian scientists did preliminary investigations of volcanic island arcs of Indonesia. They identified Kawio Barat submarine volcano as a priority for future exploration. This volcano was one of several targets included in our initial mapping survey. We spent most of today conducting CTD casts around the volcano summit to try to detect hydrothermal activity. Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/june27_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The 25th was the first full day of INDEX-SATAL 2010. Multibeam mapping operations are ongoing and expected to continue for several days. Jakarta and Seattle Exploration Command Center (ECC) scientists are monitoring data and information from the ship and are working to establish firm watch schedules. The ship and ECCs will use the gradual spin-up toward a combination of mapping, CTD, and ROV operations to test and refine communications protocols. Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/june25_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer After more than one and a half years of planning and preparation, INDEX-SATAL 2010 has finally started. At approximately 1630 local time, Major Muddan Zayadi, the onboard security officer from the Indonesian Navy, confirmed that the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer was within the approved geographic areas of operations. Within 15min of that determination, ship sensors were turned on. The Indonesia-US Deep Sea Exploration of the Sangihe-Talaud Region is now underway! Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/june24_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer It is quite difficult to accurately communicate what happened during the 24-hr period beginning at 1200 on 6/22. At that point, ship and mission personnel were planning to provide one 'low-key' ship tour the following day for key US Embassy-Jakarta personnel, the Governor of North Sulawesi, and the Mayor of Bitung. Around 1300 on 6/22, Embassy staff and ship personnel realized that our local Indonesian hosts had additional plans. We just didn't know what those plans were. On the morning of 6/23, the ship was officially welcomed to North Sulawesi. The ceremony included traditional dancers, food, drink, speeches, and even a bamboo-instrument band. By the end of the day, ship and mission personnel were absolutely exhausted. . . .but we all had big smiles on our faces! It was a great day! Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/dailyupdates/media/june23_update.html