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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 05: East Samoa Basin Seamount

September 4, 2026

Location: Lat: -15.14717054°; Long: -165.4882832°
Dive Depth Range: 2,446-2,522 meters (1.52-1.57 miles)
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Dive 05 started at 2,510 meters (1.6 miles) depth on the north side of a seamount located east of Rose Atoll, near the boundary between American Samoa and the Cook Islands. The seafloor at the site was heavily sedimented with areas of rocky, ridge-like outcrops of volcanic rock. Throughout the dive, the substrate transitioned between sediment fields, rubble, large boulders, and eventually pillow lavas. All rocks were coated in ferromanganese crust. We encountered many coated cobbles but no polymetallic nodules were identified.

The benthic community at the site was dominated by sponges with some corals present, including bamboo, Chrysogorgiidae, and Iridigorgia corals. We observed a large number of dead sponge stalks, many of which provided habitats for anemones, crinoids, hydroids, and other invertebrates. Other marine life seen during the dive included halosaurs, sea cucumbers, and sea stars.

Multi-armed orange sea star with dense, spiky appendages resting on a dark rocky ocean floor.

This large brisingid sea star was observed during Dive 05 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition. Scientists noted that there was a polynoid worm nearby that may have been stealing food from the spines that the sea star uses to capture food. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 581 KB).

Pink stalked anemone and translucent stalked sponge anchored on a sandy ocean floor near dark rocks.

Throughout Dive 05 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, we observed numerous dead sponge stalks, many of which were colonized by other organisms, like this Venus fly trap anemone (Actinocyphia sp.). Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 444 KB).

Dark, bulbous deep-sea rock formations surrounded by sand, with a pale, spherical object anchored on a thin line.

Sponges and bamboo corals were observed taking advantage of the hard surfaces of volcanic rocks during Dive 05 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, 401 KB).

Intricate, translucent, multi-branched marine organism on a thin stalk against dark rocks and white sand.

A squat lobster takes up residence in the spiraled branches of an Iridigorgia coral. Seen during Dive 05 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, 496 KB).

Two technicians inspect the NOAA Ocean Exploration ROV Deep Discoverer inside a ship bay.

David Ritter and Fernando Aragon check remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer before the start of the fifth dive 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, 447 KB).