An underwater robotic arm holds a transparent collection tube labeled "4" over a sandy sea floor, with various equipment in the background. The arm is collecting a pushcore sample.
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Push Core Collection
During Dive 01 of the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration cruise, the team tested the collection of a push core using remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer, a first! Push cores allow scientists to collect sediment samples from the seafloor for further analysis.
Credit

NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration.