2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration

(EX2301)

Expedition Overview

Geologically, the deep waters off the West Coast feature a convergent plate boundary, submarine volcanism, and hydrothermal vents. Biologically, they contain a variety of marine life supported by an abundance of hard substrate as well as hydrothermal vents. Because of their active geological features, rich biodiversity, and proximity to the coastline, scientists have been studying these deep waters for decades, yet much remains to be learned about the deep-ocean environment in this region.

During the expedition, we will spend time calibrating, testing, and assessing the ship’s acoustic mapping systems and associated equipment. We will also conduct a series of five dives to address engineering objectives as part of the ROV system "shakedown." This shakedown period will include training of new personnel, review of operations to ensure safety and efficiency, and a series of five ROV dives. During these dives, our partners at the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration will conduct rigorous tests of ROVs Deep Discoverer and Seirios, deploying them at varying depths to assess and troubleshoot their mechanical, electrical, and software systems.

Over the course of the expedition, we will conduct ROV dives at depths ranging from 600 to 3,800 meters (1,970 to 12,470 feet) to explore deep-sea coral and sponge habitats, potential hydrothermal vent and fracture zones (and related geohazards), and the water column.

All things permitting, dives will be streamed live daily, April 15 to 26, from approximately 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT / 9:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET [subject to change]. Note that dates and times are subject to change.

Throughout the expedition, when dives are not taking place, we will conduct CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth) profile casts, with eDNA (environmental DNA) collection as well as mapping operations to collect acoustic data of seafloor and sub-seafloor geomorphology and water column habitats in the region. The collection of high-resolution mapping data is a key element of every NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition on Okeanos Explorer, and mapping data will be instrumental to planning subsequent ROV dives.

All data collected during the expedition will contribute to EXpanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (EXPRESS), a multiyear, multipartner campaign are intended to guide wise use of living marine resources and habitats, inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions, and improve offshore hazard assessments in waters off California, Oregon, and Washington.

During the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration, we will use our two-bodied remotely operated vehicle (ROV) system, which includes ROVs Deep Discoverer (pictured here) and Seirios.
During the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration, we will use our two-bodied remotely operated vehicle (ROV) system, which includes ROVs Deep Discoverer (pictured here) and Seirios. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Voyage to the Ridge 2022. Download largest version (jpg, 859 KB).
One of the features we expect to explore during the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration are methane seeps. These seeps provide food from chemical energy and structure for deep-sea animals to live on, increasing the biodiversity at such sites. This image shows a mass of snails (gastropods called Neptunea) and their egg masses (the yellow towers) using clumps of tubeworms as a place to anchor at a seep site within Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, off the Oregon coast.
One of the features we expect to explore during the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration are methane seeps. These seeps provide food from chemical energy and structure for deep-sea animals to live on, increasing the biodiversity at such sites. This image shows a mass of snails (gastropods called Neptunea) and their egg masses (the yellow towers) using clumps of tubeworms as a place to anchor at a seep site within Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, off the Oregon coast. Image courtesy of Ocean Exploration Trust - Cruise NA095. Download largest version (jpg, 3.7 MB).
This map shows the general operating area along the coasts of Oregon and Washington for the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, with the approximate track of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer shown as a yellow line and proposed dive sites as white circles.
This map shows the general operating area along the coasts of Oregon and Washington for the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, with the approximate track of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer shown as a yellow line and proposed dive sites as white circles. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 2.6 MB).