Image and Video Gallery: Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

This infographic provides a snapshot of the expedition by the numbers.

The connections between transboundary waters, as well as the deep sea habitats they support, inspired the name of the “Deep Connections 2019” expedition.

Exploring Marine Protected Areas

Submarine canyons and seamounts are some of the most productive habitats in the deep sea, yet few have been explored.

No Boundaries

The deep sea is one of the final frontiers of human exploration, and the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer uses mapping operations and remotely operated vehicles to reveal seascapes that have never before been seen by human eyes.

Mission Team

The mission team onboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer for the Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada expedition.

Live Interaction with the New England Aquarium

The mission team onboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer for the Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada expedition.

Octopus Friday on Saturday

Octopods abound during the final dive of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Cutthroat Eel

Cutthroat eel (Synaphobranchus affinis) feeding on a piece of fish during the final dive of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Fault in a Rockface

A fault in a rockface observed during the final dive of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Invertebrates on Canyon Wall

A diverse assemblage of invertebrates was documented on the canyon wall during dive 12 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Warty Octopus and Shortfin Squid

Warty octopus (Graneledone verrucosa) and shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) were observed during dive 12 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Mapping Operations

Rough seas meant that the ROVs could not be safely deployed on September 13, 2019. As a result, the team conducted all day mapping operations in a previously unmapped area north of the intended dive site.

ROV Deep Discoverer

The shallowest depth that the ROV Deep Discoverer dives at is 250 meters, below the depth that severe storms have been measured to cause disturbances.

Massive Massive

The ROV Deep Discoverer explores a sheer carbonate wall over 120 meters in height—taller than the Cliffs of Dover.

ROV Deep Discoverer

ROV Deep Discoverer surveying a stunning, near-vertical sequence of carbonate rock at Veatch Canyon. The wall was over 100 meters thick.

Sea Stars

These sea stars (Neomorphaster foricpatus) were a common sight during the dive at Veatch Canyon.

Canyon Wall

The mechanical arm of ROV Deep Discoverer can be seen while surveying a stunning, near-vertical sequence of carbonate rock at Veatch Canyon. The wall was over 100 meters thick.

Dense Community of Corals and Sponges

A dense community of corals and sponges, including cupcorals, Acanthogorgia sp. octocorals, and Lophelia pertusa hard corals, was seen towards the end of the dive at Veatch Canyon.

Perplexingly shaped geological features within Oceanographer Canyon initially stump our science team.

A Midwater Exploration

A multitude of midwater life, including a rattail fish, a hydromedusa, a sawtooth eel, a potentially undescribed ctenophore, a smelt, a red jelly, and a chimera are among the organisms seen during a midwater dive off of Bear Seamount, during Deep Connections 2019.

Chimera

A chimera seen swimming near the seafloor during the first midwater transect of Dive 10 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Cidippid Ctenophore

This potentially undescribed cidippid ctenophore was seen floating gracefully in the water column during dive 10 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Red Jelly

This dusky red jelly, Poralia sp., is a common sight during midwater transects. This image was captured during dive 10 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Sawtooth Eel

This sawtooth eel was spotted floating vertically in the water column during dive 10 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Video Editor Emily Narrow

The author, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration Video Editor Emily Narrow, in the video chair aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

Video Engineer Brian Doros

Video Engineer Brian Doros controlling video shading during a ROV dive of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Pod of Pilot Whales

A pod of pilot whales captured on camera by our video team near the first ROV dive site of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition at the Gully Marine Protected Area.

Sponge-A-Palooza

A dive on the eastern side of Retriever Seamount reveals a diverse sponge community, much to the delight of our biology lead.

Pink Coral

A pink coral (Corallium sp.) on a rock outcropping, as seen at Retriever Canyon.

Large Diversity of Corals and Sponges

A large diversity of corals and sponges were seen on dive 9 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition on Retriever Canyon.

Stunning Array of Corals and Sponges

A stunning array of corals and sponges adorned most areas explored during dive 9 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition on Retriever Seamount.

Undescribed Sponge

This undescribed sponge was seen during dive 9 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Shortfin Squid Feeding

Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) actively feeding on a large swarm of crustaceans during dive 3 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Squid Attack

One squid attacking another during dive 3 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Squid Bite Victim

A Northern shortfin squid with a large bite out of one of its fins, sitting on the seafloor. Several squid with such bite marks were observed during dive 3 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

How Do We Get Food to Our Mouths?

A tall bamboo whip coral surprises Okeanos Explorer science leads with its size. Its long, whip-like form is well-suited to the deep-sea environment.

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

Map of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

Snake Star and Octocoral

A snake star entwined itself tightly around the branches of an octocoral as seen on dive 8 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Sponges and Corals

A wide diversity of sponges and corals were seen on dive 8 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition, which took place in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

Bear Seamount

Slopes of manganese crusted basalt on Bear Seamount were characterized by a high diversity of deep-sea corals and sponges.

Bamboo Coral

Reaching a length over 2 meters long, this whip-like bamboo coral colonized what appears to be an old pillow lava flow. Several such long bamboo corals were seen during dive 8 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Octopus

This Graneledone verrucosa octopus was seen on a steep sediment-covered slope on Bear Seamount during dive 8 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Flounder

A flounder among sea pens, as seen during the third dive of Deep Connections 2019.

Broad Zone to Protect Deep-sea Corals South of Georges Bank

The NEFMC approved 600 meter minimum depth broad zone to protect deep-sea corals south of Georges Bank, which extends out to the 200 mile U.S. E.E.Z. limit.

Shortfin Squid Swim Among a Cluster of Corals

Shortfin squid swim among a cluster of corals during the fifth dive of Deep Connections 2019.

The Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-sea Coral Protection Area

The Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-sea Coral Protection Area in the mid-Atlantic.

Gulf of Maine

Locations of deep-sea coral management areas, coral location records, and fishery management areas in the Gulf of Maine.

Shortfin Squid

A shortfin squid swims by a large coral during a dive on Kinlan Canyon, the sixth dive site of Deep Connections 2019.

Mission Control

Science team inside the mission control room aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during an ROV Dive.

Okeanos Atlas

Near real-time data are sent to shore and publically accessible via the Okeanos Atlas, like this ship track observation from EX-19-05 Leg 1.

Composite Multibeam Hillshade Mosaic

NCEI's composite multibeam hillshade mosaic shows the depth gradient of the seafloor off of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Plumes

Three-dimensional perspective of a ROV Deep Discoverer dive track (white lines) and waypoints (red points) with superposed water column bubble plumes (multi-colored point clouds) imaged by NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during a previous mission.

Composite Map

Mapping teams create a composite map that shows the depth of the seafloor and the track lines from the ship after each expedition.

CTD Rosette

Scientists aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer bring the deployable CTD rosette back on board after sending it to the seafloor.

Collecting Water Samples

Once aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, water collected on niskin bottles during the Windows to the Deep 2018 expedition Dive 04 is transferred to sterile containers for later eDNA processing.

Collecting a Sample

An octocoral and squat lobster associate that were collected on Dive 05 of the Windows to the Deep 2019 expedition. Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer’s manipulator arm is visible as it goes to make the collection.

Sea Pen

This sea pen was seen during Dive 2 of the Océano Profundo 2018 expedition.

Mapping Team

Mapping team of Windows to the Deep 2019 expedition inside the mission control room aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

Exploration Systems/Robotics Engineer Bobby Mohr

Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration Systems/Robotics Engineer Bobby Mohr. The ROV team took advantage of the unexpected in port by conducting routine maintenance on their equipment.

The ROV Team

Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration Engineers Sean Kennison, Levi Unema, and Dan Rogers. The ROV team took advantage of the unexpected in port by conducting routine maintenance on the remotely operated vehicles.

Expedition Coordinator Daniel Wagner

Expedition Coordinator Daniel Wagner during a live interaction with the Mystic Aquarium on September 7, 2019.

The Newly Established Exploration Command Center at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography

Scientists participating in dive 1 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition from the newly established exploration command center at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

A Geologic Conundrum

Perplexingly shaped geological features within Oceanographer Canyon initially stump our science team.

Sea Star Chondraster grandis

An interesting color morph of the sea star Chondraster grandis. These sea stars, which are usually a rare sight, are particularly abundant in canyons of the Northeast Atlantic.

Pyramid-like Structures

Pyramid-like structures on the seafloor of Oceanographer Canyon seen during dive 7 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Primnoid Corals

Considerable turbidity was present throughout the dive 7 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition dive on Oceanographer Canyon. Some corals and sponges were observed on the most prominent features, like these primnoid corals.

Shortfin Squid and a Monkfish Resting on the Seabed

The dominant substrate of dive 7 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition was poorly sorted gravel. Shortfin squid and a monkfish are seen resting on the seabed.

Tug o' War

Two cutthroat eels (Synaphobranchus gracilius) battle a hungry red crab for a squid meal.

Clavularia

Purple octocoral (Clavularia sp.), seen during dive 6 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Paragorgia with Snakestar Associates

Large bubblegum coral (Paragorgia sp.) with a number of snakestar (Euryalida) associates in its branches, seen during dive 6 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Paragorgia

A large bubblegum coral (Paragorgia sp.) seen during dive 6 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Two Cutthroat Eels

Two cutthroat eels (Synaphobranchus gracilis), top and center, struggle over a piece of short-finned squid, as seen during dive 6 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Halibut Canyon

Three Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) were spotted in an unnamed deep-sea canyon north of Kinlan Canyon, located off the New England coast.

Atlantic Halibut

A large endangered Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) seen resting on the seafloor during dive 5 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Striped Shrimp

Striped shrimp seen on a bubblegum coral during dive 5 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Bobtail Squid

Small bobtail squid nestled between clumps of dead Lophelia pertusa seen during dive 5 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Deep-sea Coral and Sponge Community

Dense deep-sea coral and sponge community observed on a sheer wall during dive 5 of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Needle-like Sclerites

Needle-like sclerites protrude between tentacles to form a formidable-looking ring around the red-colored mouths of bamboo coral polyps.

Rod-like Sclerites

Rod-like sclerites are aligned in tracks running up the polyp body wall in a bamboo coral. Even smaller scale-shaped sclerites are packed into the tissue giving it an opaque appearance.

A fragment of a Primnoidae colony (genus Narella) under a microscope showing three pairs of polyps. The polyps, curled downward against the main axis, are encased in plate-like sclerites.

Rod-like Sclerites

A fragment of a Primnoidae colony (genus Narellaa) under a microscope showing three pairs of polyps. The polyps, curled downward against the main axis, are encased in plate-like sclerites.

Spiny Sclerites

Spiny sclerites on an Acanthogorgia octocoral give the polyps a pin cushion-like appearance. The coiled pink spiny arms belong to ophiuroid brittle stars that live on the coral.

Clavularia

Clavularia, here seen during dive 6 of Deep Connections 2019, is a stoloniferous octocoral that grows in ribbons and mats over rock or skeletons of coral or sponges.

Taxonomic Monograph

A figure from a taxonomic monograph published in 1909 shows hand drawings of sclerite variation among 15 species of octocorals from the Indian Ocean.

It’s So Cute!

A tiny juvenile fish, species undetermined, was spotted by the keen eyes of our videographer.

Dogshark

A dogshark seen during the fourth dive of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Octopus

Graneledone sp. octopus seen brooding her eggs during the fourth dive of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

A Leafy Demosponge

A leafy demosponge collected by Deep Discoverer during the fourth dive of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Aggregation of Small Sponges

An aggregation of small sponges seen during the fourth dive of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Remembering Dr. Brian Kinlan

Highlights from Dive 06 of the expedition to explore Kinlan Canyon. The dive was dedicated to Dr. Brian Kinlan, after whom the canyon is named.

Coral

Many species of corals and sponges can be found in Kinlan Canyon.

Brian Kinlan

Dr. Brian Kinlan.

Kinlan Canyon

A perspective view of the bathymetry of Kinlan Canyon.

Diverse Community

ROV Deep Discoverer took this photo in Kinlan Canyon in 2013.

Squid Cafe

A “squid storm” of shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) swarmed around the Deep Discoverer throughout Dive 4 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Swarms of Shortfin Squid

Swarms of shortfin squid feeding on krill surround the Deep Discoverer during its descent of the third dive of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Dense Aggregation of Anemones, Blackbelly Rosefish, and Seapens

Dense aggregation of anemones, blackbelly rosefish, and seapens around a field of glacial dropstones, as seen on the third dive of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Lobster Biting Squid Tentacles

A lobster bites down on squid tentacles during the third dive of Deep Connections 2019 expedition on August 31, 2019.

Scorpion Fish

The eyes of a scorpion fish reflect the ROV Deep Discoverer during the third dive of Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

Port Location

Map showing the in port location in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer was docked.

Welcoming Visitors to the Ship Tour

NOAA Corps Ensign Nicolas Osborn welcomes guests to NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer at the beginning of the ship tours held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Visitors Boarding NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

Visitors board NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during the ship tours held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on August 23, 2019.

Touring the Bridge

Operations Officer Lieutenant Rosemary Abbitt gives a tour of the bridge of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during the August 23, 2019 ship tours in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Touring Mission Control

Expedition Coordinator Daniel Wagner explains how science operations are run from the mission control room during the August 23, 2019 ship tours in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

ROV Deep Discoverer

Visitors take photos of ROV Deep Discoverer during the August 23, 2019 ship tours in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

ROV Deep Discoverer Up Close

Engineer Dan Rogers, from the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration, gives visitors a close-up look at ROV Deep Discoverer.

One of My Favorites

This anglerfish, in the genus Chaunacops, was seen during Dive 2.

Freyella elegans Seastar

A Freyella elegans seastar imaged during the second dive of Deep Connections 2019.

Halosaur Fish

A halosaur fish swims along during the second dive of Deep Connections 2019.

“Pipe” Formations

Pipe-like fluid channels on step face found during the second dive of Deep Connections 2019.

Sampling of One of the Pipe-like Fluid Channels

Sampling of one of the pipe-like fluid channels on a step face, found during the second dive of Deep Connections 2019.

Life in the Gully

Highlights from the first dive of the expedition, exploring the Gully Marine Protected Area.

Bubblegum Coral with Snake Stars

A bubblegum coral with associated snake stars documented during dive 1 in Gully Canyon.

Dense Community of Bamboo Corals

Dense community of bamboo corals documented on a steep slope incised with along-slope rills during dive 1 in the Gully Canyon.

Diverse Invertebrate Community

A diverse invertebrate community consisting of bamboo corals, zoanthids, mushroom corals, cup corals, and bivalves documented on a large rock during dive 1.

Diverse Assemblage

Close-up view of a diverse assemblage documented on dive 1 inside the Gully Canyon, including bamboo corals, zoanthids, encrusting demosponges, hydroids, an anemone, a Freyella elegans seastar, and a squat lobster.

Conservation Area Map

Map showing the Northeast Channel Coral Conservation Area.

Bubblegum Coral

The bubblegum coral Paragorgia arborea growing on a boulder in the Northeast Channel.

Expedition Coordinator Daniel Wagner

Expedition Coordinator Daniel Wagner spoke to senate staff visitors from the Okeanos Explorer.

Senate Staff Visiting the ECC

Senate staff visited the Exploration Command Center in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Location of The Gully

Location of The Gully Marine Protected Area.

Example of Biodiversity in the Gully

Underwater habitat in the Gully Marine Protected Area.

Northern Bottlenose Whale

Northern bottlenose whale in the Gully Marine Protected Area.

Two Northern Bottlenose Whales

Two northern bottlenose whales swimming in the water.

Blue Whale

Blow from a blue whale.

Deep-sea Octopus

Deep-sea octopus resting on the seafloor.

Deep-sea Coral

Deep-sea coral.

Okeanos Explorer in Port

A filmmaker (third from right) speaks with Science Lead Jeff Obelcz upon his arrival at port.

Mapping Lead Mike White and Reporter

Mapping Lead Mike White (far right), prepares for his interview with a local reporter.

Halifax Skyline

The Halifax skyline, seen from Dartmouth, has greeted the crew each morning.

The Deep Connections 2019 expedition will explore poorly known submarine canyon habitats of the U.S. and Canadian Atlantic Continental Margin using ROVs.

Sea Fans

The Deep Connections 2019 expedition will explore submarine canyon habitats of the U.S. and Canadian Atlantic continental margin.

Map showing the priority areas for and mapping operations to be conducted during the Deep Connections 2019 expedition, overlaid onto existing mapping data in the region.

Leg 1 Map

Map showing the priority areas for Leg 1 mapping operations.

The Okeanos Explorer’s Mission Control Room with onboard mapping team.

The Onboard Mapping Team

The Okeanos Explorer’s mission control room with the onboard mapping team.

Map showing the priority areas for remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and mapping operations to be conducted during the second leg of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition, overlaid onto existing mapping data in the region.

Leg 2 Map

Map showing the priority areas for ROV and mapping operations during Leg 2.

ROV Deep Discoverer

During Leg 2, ROV Deep Discoverer will be used to acquire visual data and collect physical samples.

In addition to deepwater seafloor habitats, leg 2 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition will also explore poorly known midwater habitats of the U.S. and Canadian Atlantic Continental Margin, which are the largest and one of the least explored of all deepwater habitats.

Ctenophore

The team will also explore midwater habitats during Leg 2.

Telepresence

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer uses telepresence technology to transmit data in real time to shore.

Hudson Canyon

Plan view of Hudson Canyon.

Ancient Delaware River

The mapped trace of the ancient Delaware River cutting across the shelf and connecting with Wilmington and Baltimore Canyons.

Plan (overhead) view of submarine canyons and seamounts that seafloor mapping and remotely operated vehicle dives will be conducted on as part of the Deep Connections 2018 expedition. The location of submarine canyons and seamounts in such close proximity provides an excellent opportunity to study them side-by-side. Figure generated from Google Earth.

Expedition Map

Plan view of submarine canyons and seamounts that seafloor mapping and dives will be conducted on as part of the expedition.

Corals

A variety of deep-sea corals found on a ledge in an unnamed canyon between Heezen and Nygren Canyons.

Predictive Model of Coral Presence

Predictive model of deepwater coral presence in the Gulf of Mexico.

Predictive Model of Coral Presence

Predictive model of deepwater coral presence in U.S.-Canada Atlantic waters.

Submarine landslide locations (blue polygons) in Northeastern U.S. Atlantic waters displayed over a map of seafloor slope (green is gently sloping, red is steeply sloping). Landslides were mapped by Jason Chaytor, U.S. Geological Survey. Landslides generally occur on steep slopes at the shelf edge, sometimes within submarine canyons. Documented landslide locations are used as observations for predictive modeling, and seafloor slope is a highly correlated predictor.

Submarine Landslides

Submarine landslide locations in Northeastern U.S. Atlantic waters displayed over a map of seafloor slope.

Predictive Model of Submarine Landslides

Predictive model of submarine landslides on the Mississippi River Delta Front, Gulf of Mexico.

Corals

A cluster of deepwater corals grows on on the western wall of Oceanographer Canyon.

Canyon Wall

Steep slopes and water flow create sediment-free habitats for deepwater animals.

This map of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument shows some of the submarine canyons that cut into the deep seafloor of the continental margin of the eastern United States, and the seamounts offshore. The habitat characteristic of these geological features is discontinuous, with communities isolated by the sediment-covered slope between them.

Monument Map

Map of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument showing some of the submarine canyons.

Anthomastus Coral

Anthomastus coral in Oceanographer Canyon.

Corals

In 2013, scientists observed that corals were diverse on Mytilus Seamount.

Dr. Martha Nizinski (right) and Dr. Anna Metaxas shared chief scientist duties during the previous transboundary cruises.

Scientists at Work

Dr. Martha Nizinski and Dr. Anna Metaxas shared chief scientist duties during the previous transboundary cruises.

Beautiful coral gardens, dominated by the bubblegum coral <em>Paragorgia arborea</em>, were observed in Heezen Canyon (left) in U.S waters and Corsair Canyon on the Canadian side of the border.

Corals

Beautiful coral gardens observed in Heezen Canyon in U.S waters and Corsair Canyon on the Canadian side of the border.

This map shows the cruise track from last year’s transboundary cruise entitled ‘Northern Neighbors.’

Northern Neighbors Map

Map of the cruise track from the transboundary cruise entitled ‘Northern Neighbors.’

This is the third <em>Okeanos Explorer</em> expedition in 2018 that will contribute to NOAA’s Atlantic Seafloor Partnership for Integrated Research and Exploration (ASPIRE) campaign.

ASPIRE Map

This is the third Okeanos Explorer expedition in 2018 that will contribute to NOAA’s ASPIRE campaign.

Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada

Image and Video Gallery

Daily Updates

Mission Logs

Image and Video Gallery

For Educators

Background Information

Media Resources

Meet the Explorers

Expedition Data - Leg 1

Expedition Data - Leg 2

Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada

Image and Video Gallery

Daily Updates

Mission Logs

Image and Video Gallery

For Educators

Background Information

Media Resources

Meet the Explorers

Expedition Data - Leg 1

Expedition Data - Leg 2

Related Links