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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 09: Central Samoa Basin Nodule Field (7/8 Midway)

September 8, 2026

Location: Lat: -14.44314197°; Long: -166.438469°  
Dive Depth Range: 5,508-5,512 meters (3.42-3.42 miles)
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Dive 09 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition explored an abyssal nodule field in the central Samoa Basin. The dive took place on a relatively flat area of seafloor, starting at approximately 5,525 meters (3.4 miles) depth and moving along an east-to-west path. The seafloor at the dive site was flat with fine sediment and occasional small mounds of bioturbation. Throughout the dive, we observed a relatively homogenous distribution of polymetallic nodules covering less than 50% of the seafloor. Nodules ranged from ellipsoidal, large nodules (greater than 5 centimeters/2 inches in diameter) to small nodules (2-3 centimeters/0.8-1.2 inches). Several large (greater than 5 centimeters in length) fossilized megaladon teeth coated in ferromanganese were seen. Marine life seen during the dive included several fish, including halosaurs and cusk eels, anemones, shrimp, sea cucumbers and other invertebrates.

A pale halosaur fish swims just above a sandy ocean floor scattered with dark rocks.

This halosaur was seen swimming just above the seafloor at a depth of 5,510 meters during Dive 09 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, 512 KB).

A translucent marine organism rests on a dark rock surrounded by a sandy seabed with a winding trail.

It’s a sampling trifecta! Collected during the ninth dive of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, this sample included an anemone and a carnivorous sponge on a megalodon tooth, all with one scoop! Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 591 KB).

A sandy seabed covered in dark, round rocky nodules viewed from between two edges of a submersible.

Throughout Dive 09 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition, we observed a relatively homogenous distribution of polymetallic nodules covering less than 50% of the seafloor. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 826 KB).

A delicate, translucent, ribbed coral structure rests on a sandy ocean floor dotted with small rocks.

This coral gets its common name of “black coral” from its black skeleton, rather than the white polyps that cover the skeleton made of protein and chitin. Seen during Dive 09 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, 488 KB).

A bright red shrimp with long antennae swims in the dark ocean just above the seabed.

This bright red shrimp photobombed a sample collection during Dive 09 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition. While many animals that we’ve seen while exploring at great depths on this expedition, many deep-sea animals are red. Red light does not reach ocean depths, so deep-sea animals that are red actually appear black and thus are less visible to predators and prey. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 172 KB).