Atlantic Canyons Undersea Mapping

Photo Log

Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

 

Slideshow of Google Earth images showing the progressing of high-resolution mapping efforts.

Summary:
Slideshow of Google Earth images showing the progressing of high-resolution mapping efforts. (HR)

Slideshow of maps displaying bathymetry collected

Summary:
Slideshow of maps displaying bathymetry collected by NOAA Ships Okeanos Explorer and Hassler. (HR)

Yellow sponges and deep-sea corals on the edge of Middle Tom.s Canyon.

Summary:
Deep-sea coral, Paragorgia arborea, on the edge of Hendrickson Canyon. (HR)

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Summary:
Yellow sponges and deep-sea corals on the edge of Middle Tom.s Canyon. (HR)

Orange brisingid sea stars (Freyella sp.) are common on sedimented rock at 1,703 meters in southwestern Toms Canyon.

Expedition 4:
Orange brisingid sea stars (Freyella sp.) in southwestern Toms Canyon. (HR)

Several small red corals (Anthomastus sp.), yellow corals (Paramuricea sp.) with brittle star associates, and two white vase sponges are just a few of the organisms captured in this image taken at 1,419 meters in Veatch Canyon.

Expedition 4:
Several corals, brittle stars, and vase sponges captured in an image taken at 1,419 meters in Veatch Canyon. (HR)

The crew prepares TowCam for deployment.

Expedition 4:
The crew prepares TowCam for deployment. (HR)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s TowCam, our eye in the sea, lifts off the deck during deployment on the first dive of the cruise.

Expedition 4:
TowCam, our “eye in the sea,” lifts off the deck during deployment on the first dive of the cruise. (HR)

A field of yellow Paramuricea sp. corals and a sea star observed at 1679 meters in Gilbert Canyon.

Expedition 4:
A field of yellow Paramuricea sp. corals and a sea star observed at 1679 meters in Gilbert Canyon. (HR)

Large bubble gum corals (top center image) and smaller octocorals, yellow Paramuricea sp. observed at 1221 meters in Gilbert Canyon.

Expedition 4:
Large bubble gum corals octocorals observed at 1,221 meters in Gilbert Canyon. (HR)

Many brittle stars scattered over pebbled sediment at 1,965 meters in Gilbert Canyon.

Expedition 4:
Many brittle stars scattered over pebbled sediment at 1,965 meters in Gilbert Canyon. (HR)

A white sponge approximately, 60 centimeters in length, is hosting two shrimp. Multiple smaller sponges, anemones, and urchins were also observed at this rock, cobble, and sedimented habitat at 820 meters depth in Gilbert Canyon.

Expedition 4:
A white sponge hosting two shrimp at 820 meters depth in Gilbert Canyon.(HR)

NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler on commissioning day, June 8, 2012.

Expedition 3:
NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler on commissioning day, June 8, 2012. (HR)

David Moehl at the controls of Hassler’s multi-beam echosounders in the ship’s Survey Lab.

Expedition 3:
David Moehl at the controls of Hassler’s multi-beam echosounders in the ship’s Survey Lab. (HR)

LT Sam Greenaway and Physical Scientist Vanessa Self-Miller prepare to deploy a CTD.

Expedition 3:
LT Sam Greenaway and Physical Scientist Vanessa Self-Miller prepare to deploy a CTD. (HR)

Hassler’s mapping coverage in the Toms Canyon area, overlaid on mapping data.

Expedition 3:
Hassler’s mapping coverage in the Toms Canyon area, overlaid on mapping data. (HR)

Hassler’s mapping coverage in the Block Canyon area, overlaid on mapping data.

Expedition 3:
Hassler’s mapping coverage in the Block Canyon area, overlaid on mapping data. (HR)

Pock marks mapped by Hassler in the vicinity of Block Canyon.

Expedition 3:
Pock marks mapped by Hassler in the vicinity of Block Canyon. (HR)

Overview of ACUMEN project area.

Expedition 3:
Overview of ACUMEN project area. (HR)

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Intern Meredith Myers and marine ecologist Dave Packer viewing canyon data

Expedition 2:
Intern Meredith Myers and marine ecologist Dave Packer viewing canyon data. (HR)

This poster shows the locations and provides information about the areas that were mapped during the second Atlantic Canyons Undersea Mapping expedition.

Expedition 2:
Poster showing locations and information about areas mapped during the second expedition (pdf, 1.4 Mb).

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Approximately 900 square kilometers of seafloor were mapped during focused survey operations at Block, Ryan, and McMaster Canyons

Expedition 1:
Approximately 900 square kilometers were mapped at Block, Ryan, and McMaster Canyons.

Focused mapping operations at Hendrickson, Toms, and Berkeley Canyons

Expedition 1:
Focused mapping operations at Hendrickson, Toms, and Berkeley Canyons.

Approximately 280 square kilometers of Veatch Canyon were bathymetrically mapped

Expedition 1:
Approximately 280 square kilometers of Veatch Canyon were mapped.

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Three NOAA ships are directly involved with the Atlantic Canyons Undersea Mapping Expeditions.

Mission Plan:
Three NOAA ships are directly involved with the Atlantic Canyons Undersea Mapping Expeditions. (HR)

Scientists and managers identified this five-canyon area as the second highest geographic priority.

Mission Plan:
Scientists and managers identified this five-canyon area as the second highest geographic priority.

Google Earth map showing general priorities and planned coverage areas for 2012 ACUMEN operations, overlaid on existing bathymetry acquired by NOAA Ships Nancy Foster and Okeanos Explorer.

Mission Plan:
Google Earth map showing priorities and coverage areas for ACUMEN operations, overlaid on existing bathymetry.

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Okeanos Explorer docked in Norfolk awaiting a June 2012 cruise to map the mid-Atlantic's deep water canyons.

Partnerships:
Okeanos Explorer docked in Norfolk awaiting a June 2012 cruise to map the mid-Atlantic's deep water canyons. (HR)

NOAA Corps officers on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer discuss operations.

Partnerships:
NOAA Corps officers on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer discuss operations. (HR)

Mashkoor Malik discusses the various types of data that are being collected by various NOAA ships.

Partnerships:
Mashkoor Malik discusses the various types of data that are being collected by various NOAA ships. (HR)

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Practically every deep-sea expedition provides something new, interesting, and important to learn about.

Canyons:
Practically every deep-sea expedition provides something new, interesting, and important to learn about. (HR)

Martha Nizinski examines a deepwater coral specimen collected off the southeastern U.S.

Canyons:
Martha Nizinski examines a deepwater coral specimen collected off the southeastern U.S. (HR)

Coral colonies provide structure and habitat for other organisms.

Canyons:
Coral colonies provide structure and habitat for other organisms. (HR)

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