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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 11: East Muliāva Abyssal Plain

September 10, 2026

Location: Lat: -14.72088297°; Long: -167.31570660°  
Dive Depth Range: 5,206-5,252 meters (3.23-3.26 miles)
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Dive 11 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition took place on an abyssal plain in the eastern portion of the Muliāva unit of National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. This area was newly mapped during the current expedition. The dive focused on exploration of an interesting abyssal mound near the eastern boundary of the sanctuary, about 50 miles east of Rose Atoll. Throughout the dive, the seafloor was a mix of sediment and volcanic rocks and rocky outcrops, some with ferromanganese coatings.  We saw a variety of organisms including the first sea pen of the expedition, sea cucumbers, carnivorous sponges, and polychaete worms.

A white sea pen with feathery tentacles anchored in a sandy ocean floor.

The first (and only!) sea pen of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition – spotted during Dive 11. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 519 KB).

A white isopod with exceptionally long antennae and legs resting above a sandy ocean floor.

This isopod with long antennae and long limbs was observed swimming and then crawling across the sediment during Dive 11 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, 753 KB).

A brightly lit remotely operated vehicle explores a dark ocean floor connected to a yellow tether.

Top-down view of remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer, captured from ROV Seirios during Dive 11 of the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition. Seirios is tethered via a cable to NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and Deep Discoverer, absorbing ship heave to keep Deep Discoverer stable while providing power, data transfer, and an expanded view for ROV pilots. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 194 KB).

A white sea star with feathery arms resting on a dark, textured ocean floor.

A brisingid sea star clings to the side of a volcanic rock. Seen during Dive 11 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, 754 KB).

A white, spiky sea urchin resting on a textured, sandy ocean floor.

A white urchin makes its way across the heavily sedimented seafloor explored during the eleventh 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, 808 KB).