NOAA Exploration Offices
Because ocean exploration is multidisciplinary and encompasses many
aspects of NOAA’s mission, this initial collection only
offers the main NOAA programs and offices engaged in ocean
exploration activities. In some cases, ocean exploration
is only a small part of the offices' mission. Please visit
their Web offerings for more information.
Each entry provides the name of the NOAA office, Web site
address, and description of the program or office.
Office
of Ocean Exploration
National
Marine Sanctuary Program
National Undersea Research Program (NURP)
Vents
Program
Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
NOAA Office
Ocean Exploation &
Research
Description
This office is responsible for coordinating
NOAA's Ocean Exploration Initiative.
National Marine Sanctuary Program
NOAA Office
National Ocean Service
Description
NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program
serves as the trustee for the nation's system of 13 marine protected areas.
They conserve, protect, and enhance their biodiversity,
ecological integrity and cultural legacy. Its goals
are appropriate to the unique diversity contained
within individuals sites, including restoration,
monitoring and maintaining already healthy areas.
One sanctuary may protect the breeding ground of
humpback whales while another houses the remains
of historical shipwrecks. Yet all share in common
a growing circle of partners and volunteers who embrace
the program's ocean ethic--to preserve and protect
and respect our nation's marine environment.
National Undersea Research Program (NURP)
NOAA Office
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
Description
Provides
undersea scientists with tools and expertise to work
in the undersea environment, including submersibles,
remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles,
mixed-gas diving gear, underwater laboratories and
observatories. NURP's peer-reviewed science programs
cover a range of undersea environments and are carried
out by regional centers.
Caribbean:
The National Undersea Research Center for the Caribbean
region, hosted by the Caribbean Marine Research Center
(NURC/CMRC)
Description
Supports
undersea research throughout the entire Caribbean
region. Research programs use sophisticated undersea
technology, including remotely operated vehicles,
manned submersibles, and scuba diving.
Hawaii/Pacific:
The National Undersea Research Center for Hawaii
and the Western Pacific region (NURC/HWP) at the
University of Hawaii
Description
Supports
research of deep-water marine processes in the Pacific
Ocean, with a focus on deep-sea geology and marine
ecosystems. Technology available to researchers includes
the Pisces V Submersible, the RC-150 remotely operated
vehicle, and the research ship R/V
Ka'imikai-o-Kanaloa. Projects
include
monitoring Loihi volcanic activity and hydrothermal systems.
Middle Atlantic:
The National Undersea Research Center
for the Middle Atlantic Bight region (NURC/MAB)at Rutgers University.
Description
Supports
undersea research in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, a region
that extends from Montauk, N.Y. to the Virginia/North
Carolina border.
Leo-15,
one of three long-term ecosystem observations supported
by the Center, is an extensive array of instruments
off the coast of New Jersey covering thousands of
square miles and delivering real-time ocean data.
North Atlantic/Great Lakes:
The National Undersea Research Center for the North Atlantic and Great
Lakes region at the University of Connecticut-Avery Point
Description
Places emphasis on providing researchers access to specialized underwater technologies.
Southeast/Gulf of Mexico:
The National Undersea Research Center
for the Southeastern United States and Gulf of
Mexico region (NURC/SEGM) at the University of
North Carolina-Wilmington
Description
Supports
undersea research off the southeastern United States
from North Carolina to Texas. Its 2001 Missions include the Aquarius Program, The Monitor Expedition, and Jason XI.
West Coast/Polar Regions:
The National Undersea
Research Center for the U.S. West Coast and Polar
Regions at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Description
Conducts
research and supports scientists along the western
U.S. and polar regions. Ocean exploration research
topics include active faulting, methane vents, sediment
geochemistry, material flux, ice dynamics, and benthic
biology. The Center also leases advanced undersea
technology systems, including shallow- and deep-diving
submersibles, low-cost and remotely operated vehicles,
side-scan sonars and high-resolution seismic reflection
systems.
NOAA Office
NOAA Research Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)
Description
Conducts
research on the impacts and consequences of submarine
volcanoes and hydrothermal vents in the global ocean.
Current areas of research include the Juan de Fuca
Ridge, Axial Seamount, Gorda Ridge, and the East
Pacific Rise. The Vents Program supports several
major research activities including (1) acoustic
monitoring, (2) chemical oceanography, (3) geology/geophysics,
(4) hydrothermal plume studies, (5) modeling, (6)
physical oceanography, and 7) the NEMO project.
Acoustic Monitoring
Description
Performs
continuous monitoring of ocean noise, including seismic
and volcanic activity in the north and tropical Pacific
and the north Atlantic using the U.S. Navy's Sound
Surveillance System (SOSUS) and moored autonomous
hydrophones. The most
recent
volcanic seismicity was detected on Gorda Ridge
on April 3, 2001.
Chemical Oceanography
Description
Monitors the impact of hydrothermal systems on the chemistry of the ocean.
Geology/Geophysics
Description
Researches
the volcanic and tectonic processes that influence
the locations, temporal variability, and intensity
of hydrothermal venting along the mid-ocean ridge
system.
Hydrothermal Plume Studies
Description
Investigates
the distribution and evolution of hydrothermal plumes
and hydrothermal venting systems.
Modeling
Description
Develops
analytical and numerical models to study physical,
chemical, and sedimentological processes in hydrothermal
regions.
Physical Oceanography
Description
Studies megaplumes and the circulation of hydrothermal vent fluids.
New Millennium Observatory (NEMO)
Description
The
NEMO Project is a long-term observation of the biology,
chemistry and geology of an active volcanic portion
of the mid-ocean ridge. Remotely operated vehicles,
sea-floor instruments and an on-site camera record
data and observations 1,500 meters below the surface
on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, 250 miles off the coast
of Oregon and Washington.
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