NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
The control room on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during a remotely operated vehicle dive.
Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping 3
From September 19 to October 8, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will conduct the last of three exploratory ocean mapping expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. This expedition will start in Guam and focus on expanding high-resolution bathymetry coverage around Babeldaob. The expedition will also include the collection of environmental DNA (eDNA) samples from several of the Palau International Coral Reef Center’s long-term eDNA monitoring stations. Collected data will contribute to Beyond the Blue: Illuminating the Pacific, a multiyear, collaborative science campaign designed to raise collective knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of waters in the Pacific Islands region. There will be no remotely operated vehicle dives during this expedition.