2026 Pacific Islands Mapping

July 9, 2026

Reflections

As I watch the sun reflect across the water on our final evening at sea, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be here. When my mentor asked if I wanted to join a 25-day expedition just two weeks into my fellowship, I hesitated, but only briefly. I had just moved to a new state and started a new job, and adding nearly a month at sea to the mix felt a little bit chaotic. But I quickly realized that opportunities like this don’t come along every day. Looking back now, I can’t imagine a better way to begin this new chapter. 

The science accomplished during this expedition is something I’ll always be proud to have contributed to. As we head back to shore, I’m leaving with far more than memories of beautiful sunsets. I’m taking with me new skills, new perspective, lasting friendships, and a deep appreciation for the people who make ocean exploration possible. While the science brought us together, it’s the people and the memories we’ve made along the way that I’ll carry home with me long after the expedition ends. If I’m fortunate enough to join another expedition someday, I know I’ll step aboard with a greater appreciation for both the work ahead and the incredible people I’ll get to learn from along the way. 

All of that being said… land, sweet land! This expedition has been incredible, but there are many things I’ve realized I took for granted before getting on the ship. I can’t wait to walk on solid ground (and grass!), stop instinctively swaying with the motion of the ship, and see my family, friends, and cat again. I hope you all enjoyed reading this log of my time aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer as much as I enjoyed sharing. Bye for now!

A collection of sunsets enjoyed throughout this expedition. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 194 KB).

Enjoying a quiet moment during one of my last sunsets at sea, for now. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 574 KB).

July 7, 2026

Sharing Science

Not many people get the opportunity to live and work on a ship for nearly a month. During our time at sea, we participated in a couple of live interactions, giving students of various ages a chance to ask questions and get a glimpse of what life is like aboard Okeanos Explorer. I had the opportunity to speak with a group of NOAA interns, mostly undergraduate students beginning to explore careers in STEM. 

Sharing my path in STEM brought back memories of being at the same stage myself — excited by the possibilities, eager to learn, and anxious about what the path ahead might look like. It was rewarding to reflect on my own journey and to share some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It was also inspiring to see so many students genuinely interested in the work we’re doing and excited about the many paths a career in science can take. 

Giving a presentation on my doctoral research. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 116 KB).

Learning has gone both ways on this expedition. While I enjoyed sharing my experience with aspiring scientists, I’ve also learned an incredible amount from the science team and crew, each of whom brings a unique background, perspective, and area of expertise. Throughout the expedition, we’ve gathered for informal presentations where we’ve shared our work and learned from one another. I’ve had the chance to hear about topics ranging from environmental DNA (eDNA) and our office’s administration and finance division to mapping watchstanding, along with many other topics through conversation and observing daily operations. I also had the opportunity to share my own graduate research with the group. 

One of the most rewarding parts of this expedition has been learning from everyone around me. It’s easy to focus on the products — the incredible technology and scientific discoveries that come out of expeditions like this one, rather than the people behind those discoveries and those that make expeditions like this possible. The real strength of this team is the wealth of knowledge and experience that each person brings, and their willingness to share it. Being here has reminded me that when we approach each other with curiosity and a desire to learn, there’s very little we can’t accomplish together.

July 6, 2026

Celebrations at Sea

Life at sea has been incredibly rewarding, but spending weeks away from family, friends, pets, and the comforts of home (and solid ground) can be challenging. One of the things that has made life aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer so enjoyable has been the activities and celebrations organized to keep morale high. These moments of fun give us the chance to recharge and wind down after long days of work. 

This week has been especially festive. We celebrated the Fourth of July on the fantail with delicious food prepared by our stewards and junior officers, sunshine, and great company. It also marked the end of a week-long celebration following our crossing of the equator. For many of us, this was our first time crossing the equator by sea, meaning we officially graduated from “polliwogs” to “shellbacks” through a long-standing maritime tradition. As part of this ceremony, each of us was given a task to complete. Mine was to create a crown more impressive than that of my mentor and Expedition Coordinator, Logan Kline. I took the challenge to heart and created what I consider a work of art. Now I just need to find a way to bring it home in one piece!

Crowns created by myself (right) and Logan (left) as part of the Shellback ceremony. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 1 MB).

Although this week has been particularly eventful, events hosted by the ship’s morale officer, Ensign John Canez, have been held throughout the expedition to give the crew and mission team a chance to unwind and enjoy each other’s company. We’ve gathered for board game nights, “sundae Sunday,” Jackbox games, movie nights under the stars on the fantail, and even a relaxing spa night complete with face masks, self-care, and a showing of Crazy, Stupid, Love. We also surprised one of the science team members with a paint-and-sip birthday celebration (featuring her favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice, and non-alcoholic lilikoi drinks) and a decorated cake. Since we were celebrating my “boat bestie” Michelle Whitman, I was asked to help decorate the cake and keep her distracted while everyone gathered in the mess hall to sing her “Happy Birthday.” It was wonderful to celebrate such an amazing person, someone I was lucky enough to meet and form a lasting friendship with because of this expedition. 

These activities do far more than fill our free time. They strengthen the sense of community aboard the ship and give us the opportunity to get to know one another better. The laughter we’ve shared has made the long days easier and the weeks at sea pass by faster than I expected. As the expedition winds down, I’m grateful for the chance to have shared these experiences with such an incredible group of people.

Spa night and chick flicks. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 1 MB).

Michelle’s birthday cake, which shared decoration space with a thank you to the eDNA team. Coincidentally, our early celebration happened to fall on her daughter’s birthday! Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 2 MB).

July 1, 2026

Teamwork in Action

One of the major areas of focus during this expedition has been the Jarvis Island Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). After entering the EEZ, we began travelling in a lawnmower pattern, which is a systematic back-and-forth survey track that produces high-resolution mapping data. Following this pattern, we were able to map approximately 5% of the Jarvis Island EEZ! The frequent sharp turns made sampling operations (and walking in a straight line down passageways) a bit more challenging, but the resulting mapping data was well worth the minor inconvenience. While much of our time on this expedition has been spent mapping the seafloor, we also dedicated significant effort over the past ten days to collecting water column data and environmental DNA (eDNA) samples within this largely unexplored region. 

One of our primary tools for water characterization is the conductivity, temperature, and depth rosette, or CTD rosette. This instrument package carries sensors that measure conductivity (used to calculate salinity), temperature, and depth as it travels through the water column. These measurements are used to create profiles that show how these properties change with depth. Attached to the CTD rosette are Niskin bottles, specialized sampling bottles that can be remotely triggered at specific depths. As the CTD rosette returned from near the seafloor, we collected water samples at regular intervals throughout the abyssal zone (waters deeper than 3,000 meters, or 9,843 feet ). We also collected water samples during several shallower deployments to ~300 meters (984 feet). 

The CTD rosette on deck between deployments. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 837 KB).

NOAA Omics Coordinator Nicole Miller collecting water samples from Niskin bottles on the CTD rosette. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 397 KB).

Once the CTD rosette was back on deck, the real teamwork began. The water samples were processed for eDNA analysis, which detects tiny fragments of genetic material that organisms leave behind in the water. By filtering these water samples, we can capture these DNA fragments, sequence them, and identify the organisms living throughout the water column where samples were collected. Collecting eDNA samples is especially valuable in the abyssal zone because it is one of the least explored regions of the ocean. This approach provides a wealth of information without requiring direct observations using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), or other time-intensive, personnel-heavy methods. 

Processing more than 20 water samples in a day is a fast-paced operation, but it was made easier by the great team we had. Everyone quickly learned the workflow, and before long we were collecting and filtering water samples and folding filters with ease. Team members rotated between tasks as needed to prevent fatigue while ensuring that every sample was handled carefully. Today marked our final CTD rosette deployment on this expedition. Over the course of seven eDNA sampling deployments (five abyssal and two shallower), we successfully processed 152 water samples. In total, we completed 29 CTD rosette deployments, most of them shallower casts to approximately 300 meters (984 feet). 

Along the way, we also reached several exciting milestones! Our deepest CTD cast reached 5,217 meters (17,116 feet), which, based on archived records from the World Ocean Database, may be the deepest CTD cast conducted in the Jarvis Island EEZ to date. We also completed one of the most geographically concentrated CTD sampling efforts in the area, providing a high-resolution view of the local water column. With 29 over-the-side CTD deployments, this expedition also set a new record for NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, surpassing the previous high of 22 deployments in a single expedition. 

Being part of the eDNA team and witnessing everything that has been accomplished over the past ten days has been a great reminder that ocean exploration is truly a collaborative effort with many moving parts. Every map, sample, and dataset represents the work of many people contributing their expertise toward a common goal. The dedication of the survey technicians and deck crew was especially inspiring. They worked around the clock, adapting to ever-changing sampling plans and troubleshooting equipment whenever challenges arose, as they inevitably do at sea. Watching everyone come together to overcome those challenges has been one of the most rewarding parts of this expedition, and it’s a reminder that behind every scientific discovery is an incredible team making it possible.

Part of the eDNA team posing for a picture after sample collection. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 480 KB).

June 28, 2026

One Seamount Becomes Two (or so It Seems)

For the past five or so days, we have been mapping within the Jarvis Island Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). I’ll talk more about the work being done in this area in a future post, but today I wanted to share a cool feature we saw while mapping. 

As new data is collected, the mapping watchstanders often compare it with existing satellite-derived maps of the seafloor. Today, they noticed that what previously appeared to be one large seamount was actually a pair of seamounts. So how does one seamount seemingly split into two? The answer lies in the resolution of the data. 

Comparison of satellite-derived imagery (left) and map generated using the multibeam sonar system on the ship (right). Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 175 KB).

Satellites provide a broad picture of the seafloor by detecting small changes in sea surface height caused by the gravitational pull of underwater features. These satellite-derived maps are very useful for identifying areas that deserve a closer look, but they don’t capture fine-scale features of the seafloor. Research vessels, including dedicated ocean exploration vessels like NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, can help fill in those gaps. 

Using multibeam sonar, we can map the seafloor in much greater detail. The multibeam system sends out sound waves that travel to the seafloor and back. By measuring how long it takes for each sound wave to return, we can calculate water depth and create high-resolution maps of underwater landscapes, including seamounts. 

Seamounts are underwater mountains that rise at least 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above the surrounding seafloor, usually as the result of ancient volcanic activity. Although they lie hidden beneath the ocean’s surface, they play an important role in deep-sea ecosystems. Many seamounts rise from abyssal plains, expansive flat regions that are typically covered by fine, soft sediment. In contrast, seamounts have steep slopes and hard, rocky substrates that create ideal habitats for corals, sponges, fish, and many other marine organisms. They can also influence ocean currents, bringing nutrient-rich waters upward and helping support these diverse communities. 

3D rendering of the pair of seamounts observed today. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 51 KB).

The pair of seamounts identified each rise to about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above the surrounding seafloor, while their peaks remain more than 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) below the ocean’s surface. Together, they span about 16,000 meters, which is nearly 10 miles across. As we continue mapping this area, we’ll be keeping an eye out for more seamounts and other hidden features in the days ahead. 

Cross-sectional view of the seamounts. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 46 KB).

Accurate maps are the foundation of ocean exploration. They help scientists identify habitats that may support unique marine life, improve our understanding of seafloor geology, and guide future exploration with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Every new survey adds another piece to the puzzle of our largely unexplored ocean.

June 25, 2026

A Cup’s Journey to the Deep

If you’ve ever held a Styrofoam cup, you’ve probably noticed how incredibly light it is. That’s because it’s mostly made of tiny pockets of air trapped within expanded polystyrene beads. These air pockets make the cup lightweight and insulated, but they also make it the perfect tool for demonstrating one of the ocean’s most powerful forces: pressure. 

During my time aboard the ship, I’ve often wondered how and why someone first decided to send a Styrofoam cup to the bottom of the ocean, and whether they knew they would be starting a decades-long tradition among deep-sea researchers. At the start of this expedition, we gathered in the ship’s lounge to decorate cups together. Many featured ocean critters, while others celebrated our expedition, a favorite sports team, or a beloved pet. Every cup was unique, and as a craft enthusiast, I had a little too much fun decorating cups for my family and friends. We also decorated a large batch of cups for the office’s Outreach and Education Division to share in their programs. Once the cups have made their journey toward the seafloor and safely returned to the surface, they will be sent to teachers to help students experience the power of the deep ocean in a tangible way that sets the cups apart from photographs and diagrams.

The decorated cups, ready to be secured to the CTD rosette by one of the survey techs before embarking on their journey to the deep ocean. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 1 MB).

One of the cups decorated by science support team member Michelle Whitman, shown before and after its trip to 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) depth. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 257 KB).

The decorated cups were sent to the depths of the ocean attached to the conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) rosette during its deepest deployments. As the CTD descends, the weight of all of the water above it creates enormous pressure. Unlike on land, where we don’t usually notice the air pressure around us, pressure in the ocean increases rapidly with depth. On this expedition, the cups travelled as deep as 5,000 meters (just over 3 miles)! At 5,000 meters, the pressure is around 500 times greater than the air pressure at sea level. 

As pressure increases, it squeezes the tiny air pockets inside the Styrofoam. As the air bubbles become smaller and smaller, the thin plastic walls surrounding them are compressed and permanently flattened. When the cup returns to the surface, the trapped air can’t expand back to its original size because the foam’s structure has been permanently deformed. As it shrinks, the cup also becomes denser and sturdier. The result is a miniature version of the cup you sent down!

These miniature cups are more than just a one-of-a-kind souvenir of our time at sea. Every cup is a reminder of the incredible and extreme conditions that exist miles beneath the ocean’s surface. Long after the expedition is over, they’ll continue to tell the story of the hidden world beneath the waves and the powerful forces that define it.

Cups decorated for the Outreach and Education Division before their deep-sea journey and dramatic shrinkage. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 335 KB).

An assortment of the shrunken cups, each uniquely decorated by members of the science team. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 2 MB).

June 22, 2026

Tae Bo and Sunset Yoga

One of the many things I’ve learned while at sea is that staying active takes a little creativity. The ship’s stewards have been keeping us well-fed, serving delicious meals and plenty of tempting desserts. Something about fresh-baked cookies in the middle of the ocean makes them even harder to resist! While the gym is always a solid choice for fitness, a member of our mission team, Kevia Walker-Humphries, has unofficially (or perhaps at this point, very officially) become our onboard fitness and dance instructor. So far, we’ve tackled line dancing, Zumba, yoga, chair aerobics, and Tae Bo. Our new workout location is conveniently situated on the ship’s fantail, complete with speakers, a tiny phone screen to follow along with the workout, and a very inconveniently placed security camera that, in addition to allowing the crew to ensure everything is safe and secure on that deck, now streams our questionable dance moves directly to the ship’s bridge. I hope they get as much amusement out of it as we do!

These activities are fun enough on land, but doing them on a moving ship adds an extra level of difficulty. Just when you think you’ve mastered a dance step or found your balance in a yoga pose, the ship has ways of humbling you. More than once, we’ve found ourselves wobbling in unison or laughing as an unexpected roll sends everyone stumbling. 

While it may not make us the most graceful dancers, it’s a great way to unwind after a long day of work. In a place where we live and work together around the clock, these activities provide a fun opportunity to connect with people outside of our normal routines. Between the great company, the ocean views, and the inevitable laughter that comes from trying to stay upright, these classes have become one of my favorite parts of life aboard.

Yoga at sunset. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 200 KB).

Another example of a beautiful sunset we enjoyed while completing one of our workouts! Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 1 MB).

June 16, 2026

Safety Suits and Setting Sail

My first night on the ship was a success! Between the jetlag and travel fatigue, I had an early night (8:30 pm) and an even earlier morning (4:30 am). Before setting sail, we participated in several safety drills, including a fire drill and an abandon ship drill. These drills help familiarize us with our muster stations and appropriate procedures in the event of an emergency. While I hope to never use these skills outside of a drill, it was reassuring to see how organized and prepared the ship’s crew was! 

As part of our abandon ship drill, we had to put on immersion suits to ensure they fit properly and to make sure we were familiar with how to put them on. Immersion suits, sometimes called survival suits, are thick, waterproof dry suits designed to protect against cold water and hypothermia if we ever have to abandon ship. The thick neoprene material is incredibly difficult to get on, especially in hot, humid weather, and they are certainly designed for protection rather than fashion. It turns out that few activities build camaraderie faster than watching a deck full of sweaty adults awkwardly wiggle themselves into a giant orange suit!

Posing for a photo after donning my immersion suit. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 105 KB).

The card placed on the door of my room, showing the meeting location and duty in case of an emergency. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 941 KB).

After completing our drills, it was finally time to set sail. As I watched the shoreline gradually disappear behind us, the journey ahead began to feel real. It was both exciting and humbling to know that we would be spending the next several weeks surrounded by nothing but open water. 

I spent the evening sitting on the ship’s deck, soaking in the view and unwinding with some crafts. The steady rhythm of the ship, the sound of the waves, and the endless horizon provided a backdrop very unlike the view from my craft table at home — a brick wall of the neighboring apartment building. As we begin our voyage, there is a sense of anticipation throughout the ship as we prepare for upcoming operations and begin settling into our routines. For now, I am enjoying learning, adjusting, and soaking up the experience of being at sea.

My last look at land for the next 25 days! A fond farewell. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 600 KB).

Enjoying some bead looming at sunset on our first day of the expedition. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 668 KB).

June 15, 2026

Diving Headfirst Into My Fellowship: Welcome From the 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping Expedition!

Before starting my Knauss Fellowship, I thought the most exciting things that would happen to me in June would be moving states, starting a new job, and meeting my wonderful new cohort of fellows. As it turns out, I underestimated just how eventful this month would be. Less than two weeks after starting my fellowship, I flew across the country to board NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer for a 25-day research expedition in the Pacific! 

First glimpse of Okeanos from the dock! Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 909 KB).

A beautiful double rainbow welcoming us to Oahu, Hawai’i and wishing us a safe journey. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping. Download largest version (jpg, 550 KB).

As we drove up to the dock today, I caught my first glimpse of what would be my home for the next three-plus weeks. The crew welcomed us aboard, and after completing some training and orientation, I had the chance to explore the ship. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of space there is aboard! My previous experiences at sea have been on much smaller vessels, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The staterooms are roomy, with desk space, a mini fridge, bunk beds (I claimed the top bunk), and a shared bathroom. There are also several common areas throughout the ship, including a large galley (eating area), a library, a gym, and a lounge. 

Over the next 25 days, we’ll be travelling from Honolulu to the Cook Islands while conducting a variety of scientific operations, including seafloor mapping, CTD casts, and environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling. If those terms don’t mean much to you yet, don’t worry — I’ll be diving into all of the cool science behind these operations in future posts. While aboard, I plan to learn as much as possible about all that is involved in executing an expedition of this caliber. I’ll be using this log to share what life at sea is like — from science operations and shipboard routines, to how we keep ourselves entertained in the middle of the ocean. Thanks for following along, and stay tuned for more updates!