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The image depicts a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) illuminating a section of the ocean floor. The ROV’s bright lights cast a blue glow on the textured seabed, highlighting its rough surface. The surrounding water is a deep blue, fading into darker shades as it extends away from the light source, creating a sense of depth.

2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration

Dive 06: Rock Mounds

September 5, 2026

Location: Lat: -14.8988808°; Long: -166.7462552°
Dive Depth Range: 5,384-5,407 meters (3.35-3.36 miles)
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Dive 06 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition took place on an abyssal plain approximately 95 miles east of Rose Atoll, starting at a depth of 5,395 meters (3.4 miles). While we were expecting to see a relatively flat surface, instead the dive revealed unexpected geological relief and biodiversity reminiscent of a seamount rather than an abyssal plain. Throughout the dive, the seafloor consisted primarily of volcanic rock covered in a thick layer of polymetallic crust. We observed large boulders, elongated pillow lavas, and scattered sediment. The site supported an array of deep-sea life, including at least six distinct species of sponges and several corals, including a bamboo coral that may be a new depth record for this type of coral. We also saw several anemones, sea cucumbers, shrimp, isopods, crinoids, several different kinds of worms, and other invertebrates.

A long, white bamboo coral stalk extends vertically from a rocky seafloor in the dark ocean.

Seen at a depth of 5,395 meters (3.4 miles) during Dive 06 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, this bamboo whip coral, tentatively identified as a Bathygorgia sp., stretched an impressive 1.6 meters (5.3 feet) tall. This observation may be a depth record for this kind of coral. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 878 KB).

Dark, rounded rock formations heavily cover a sandy deep-sea floor in a dark ocean environment.

The topography of the site explored during Dive 06 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, with its volcanic origin, seemed more like a seamount than abyssal plain. There were not really distinct geological zones defined by depth, but there were a range of habitat types. These included sediment, sediment on “pavement,” cobbles and small boulders, and larger pillows and boulders. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 795 KB).

A thin, translucent sponge stalk extends vertically from a sandy seabed with two small white organisms attached to it.

At least six distinct species of sponges were observed during the sixth dive of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, including this carnivorous sponge with two amphipods attached to its stalk. Unlike filter feeding sponges, carnivorous sponges prey on animals such as small crustaceans that they capture from the water column. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 801 KB).

A small, translucent arrow worm swims above a sandy deep-sea floor.

We saw several worms during Dive 06 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, including bristle worms and scale worms observed swimming above the seafloor and this transparent Chaetognatha arrow worm seen floating about a meter above the seafloor surface over mixed sediment and cobbles. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 508 KB).

wo researchers in a lab examine a magnified marine organism sample on a digital monitor.

Val Brown and Jennifer Green work in the wet lab on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to process samples collected during Dive 06 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 1 MB).