Two red Anthomastus octocoral, a squat lobster, an anemone, and shrimp on a rocky outcrop. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download larger version (jpg, 1.5 MB).
Two red Anthomastus octocoral, a squat lobster, an anemone, and shrimp on a rocky outcrop. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download larger version (jpg, 1.5 MB).
ROV Dive Highlights
Video footage captured by the Little Hercules remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and camera platform during the April 24 ROV dive from NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during the Gulf of Mexico Expedition 2012. The dive was conducted at the Sigsbee Escarpment and focused on climbing the northeastern flank of a large salt dome. Outcrops were encountered, including some with small exposures of asphalt. Other outcrops consisted of carbonate hardgrounds, inhabited by a variety of animals. Video courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download (mp4, 304.9 MB)
Dive 10 was conducted today at the Sigsbee Escarpment. The dive focused on climbing the northeastern flank of a large salt dome. Outcrops were encountered, including some with small exposures of asphalt. Other outcrops consisted of carbonate hardgrounds, inhabited by a variety of sessile animals: soft corals, isolate tubeworms, sponges and anemones. Three frogfish and a giant isopod were associated with one cluster of carbonate hardgrounds that was also colonized by sessile fauna.
