Throughout the Windows to the Deep 2018 expedition dives so far, and especially during Dive 04 yesterday, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer has imaged a diversity of sponge and coral species. Scientists are interested in being able to predict the locations of these sensitive species by using a model of habitat suitability based on high-resolution mapping data and known locations. To identify probable areas for these species, the predictive models incorporate bathymetry, currents, vertical relief, and seafloor type. These sessile organisms like to settle on hard substrates with strong currents that can potentially bring food to these filter feeders. So if an area has both these things, it is more likely to have these organisms. All locations visited so far by the ROV have been gaps in these data and are very valuable for modeling efforts and can help inform scientists in the future. Standby as more dives and more data are still to come.
While the ship was unable to dive today due to an issue with the generators, the mission team was still hard at work collecting valuable mapping data as well as preparing and planning for future dives. There is very little mapping data in this part of the Blake Plateau along the U.S. eastern seaboard, so any data collected contributes to increasing the understanding of the seafloor and geologic context of the region, as well as to a broader effort to map all of the world’s ocean basins (Seabed 2030). Data collected revealed that the scheduled dive site for today was actually different (in form and height) than originally believed to be, based on lower-resolution data. Though the ROV didn’t get a chance to dive on the site today, it will make an interesting dive site for the next explorers! As the ship moves closer to tomorrow’s operating area, scientists hope to explore several additional mound features that are common in this region that the team believes to be biogenic (stay tuned for tomorrow’s dive to find out) as well as several scarp features.
Today, the Co-science Leads and Expedition Coordinator also hosted a live interaction with participants from shore. Through telepresence capabilities, over 20 guests were able to ask them questions live about the expedition and the dives to date. The mission team was also able to spend some much-needed time catching up on and reviewing all the documents detailing the past four dives (we’ve seen a lot!). Thanks to the hard work of the ship’s engineers, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer will be diving again tomorrow. Stay tuned for Dive 05 at Stetson Mesa South.
The mapping team on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer having a little fun while working hard to collect much needed high-resolution mapping data in the data gaps along the southeastern U.S. continental margin. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Windows to the Deep 2018. Download larger version (jpg, 7.8 MB).