DEEP SEARCH 2018: DEEP Sea Exploration to Advance Research on Coral/Canyon/Cold seep Habitats: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

Mission Overview

From August 19 to September 2, 2018, NOAA and partners at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a research expedition on the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution-operated R/V Atlantis to collect critical baseline information about deepwater habitats offshore the U.S. Mid- and South Atlantic.

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On the third dive of the expedition, the DEEP SEARCH team discovered thriving Lophelia pertusa reefs in a region further offshore and in deeper water than other known Lophelia reefs in the U.S. Atlantic.

Mission Summary: What We Have Learned from DEEP SEARCH Expedition AT-41

Although it was relatively short, this was an incredibly successful research expedition. We learned a lot about the different habitats in the study area between Virginia and Georgia.

After the last dive of the cruise, the Alvin team removes all of the paneling and gives the submersible a thorough cleaning. They will also run a series of tests and maintenance once we return to port, as they do at least once every 30 dives.

What Happens After the Last Dive

Alvin explored Pamlico Canyon off the coast of North Carolina and observed stunning rock walls covered in a diversity of corals.

Dive Ten: What It’s Like to Explore a Deep-sea Canyon for the First Time

Most of the ledges and rocky outcroppings we saw had corals, like these plexaurids, lining their edges.

Dive Six: What It’s Like to Dive in Alvin for the First Time

August 30th Alvin Dive

Watch as the DEEP SEARCH team climbs over 500 vertical meters of rock wall within Pamlico Canyon.

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August 26th Alvin Dive

Experience the entire eight-hour dive in just over three minutes with this time-lapse video.

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Significance of Finding a Previously Undetected Coral Reef

Scientists discuss the significance of finding 85 miles of linear coral reef off the U.S. East Coast.

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DEEP SEARCH 2018: DEEP Sea Exploration to Advance Research on Coral/Canyon/Cold seep Habitats

Mission Overview

Recent Updates