Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping
(EX2503)
Dates
April 8-May 5, 2025
Vessel
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
Location
U.S. deep waters within the Pacific Islands region
Primary Goal
Map, explore, and characterize ecologically and economically important unexplored deepwater regions of Papahānaumokuākea
Primary Technology
Multibeam sonar, remotely operated vehicles Deep Discoverer and Seirios
Expedition Overview
From April 8-May 5, NOAA Ocean Exploration will lead a 28-day remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and mapping expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to explore deep waters in and around Papahānaumokuākea. This expedition will include daytime ROV dives to explore the seafloor and water column, overnight mapping operations, and continuous shore-side participation via telepresence technology.
The waters in the Pacific Islands region span a diverse range of ecosystems and dynamic geological environments. They contain some of the last relatively pristine marine ecosystems on the planet and harbor numerous protected species, wondrous geological formations, and undiscovered shipwrecks.
Papahānaumokuākea is a place of extraordinary beauty, known by a single name that commemorates the union of two Hawaiian ancestors – Papahānaumoku and Wākea – who gave rise to the Hawaiian Archipelago, the taro plant, and the Hawaiian people.
In 2024, NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted three expeditions on Okeanos Explorer within Papahānaumokuākea, mapping 36,685 square kilometers (52,774 square miles), thereby increasing the region’s modern mapping coverage by approximately 9%. The collected mapping data will help increase understanding of marine life and habitats to inform management decisions, help to establish a baseline assessment of the ocean environment, and increase public awareness of ocean issues. These data will also be instrumental in informing future exploration efforts, including those being conducted during the Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition.
Expedition Operations
During the Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition, the team will work to further fill gaps in our understanding of the region by conducting focused mapping and ROV operations, with a focus on waters deeper than 200 meters (656 feet) within the region.
Mapping operations will build off of work conducted in 2024 and serve as the basis for planning and executing ROV dives during the expedition. Given the sparsity of mapping data in the region, in some instances, the team will follow a “map and dive” approach, collecting mapping data the night before a dive to guide the path of the ROV on a dive taking place the following morning.
Over the course of the expedition, we will conduct ROV dives to explore deep-sea coral and sponge habitats, seamounts, maritime heritage sites, and the water column. Thanks to telepresence technology, anyone with an internet connection is invited to watch and listen as members of the science community actively engage and guide each dive.
All things permitting, when the ship is not in transit, dives will be streamed most days, April 11 to May 2, from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. HDT / 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT. Note that dates and times are subject to change.
All data collected during the expedition will contribute to Beyond the Blue: Illuminating the Pacific, a multifaceted science campaign designed to increase knowledge about deep ocean waters in the Pacific Islands region. The campaign directly supports National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization (NOMEC) goals to close gaps in understanding of a region critical to U.S. national security, fisheries, mineral and energy resources, and biodiversity.
Live Track/Current Position Map
Map data courtesy of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Dives
Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping includes both mapping and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations, with video from ROV dives streamed online in real time while the expedition is underway.
The list below provides information about dives that took place during the expedition. Click on a dive name to find its location on the map and access a link to related image and video highlights. Links to final dive data and summaries will be added when available, after the expedition.
Dive 01: Unnamed Seamount South of Murray Fracture Zone
Date: April 11, 2025
Location: Lat: 27.11400°, Long: -165.44397°
Dive depth range: 1,690-1,825 meters (5,545-5,990 feet)
The first dive of the Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition took place on the northern slope of a conical-shaped seamount located to the south of the Murray Fracture Zone. The dive began with observation of the seamount ridge, where the seafloor was primarily characterized by manganese-encrusted basalt, with sparse sediment patches. Biological communities were relatively homogenous throughout the dive, with the dominant coral fauna consisting of Paragorgia, Metallogorgia, Paramercidae, and Iridogorgia. A number of large glass sponges were also observed and photographed, as was a solitary, extremely large hydrozoan, in excess of one meter (three feet) in diameter. Near the seamount summit, sediment patches became more prevalent and larger; examination of collected sediment samples suggests the sediment is predominantly composed of planktonic foraminifera at all size fractions, indicative of carbonate ooze.
Dive 02: Murray Fracture Zone
Date: April 12, 2025
Location: Lat: 27.50227°, Long: -166.66475°
Dive depth range: 4,720-4,860 meters (15,485-15,945 feet)
Dive 02 of the Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition took us deep within the Murray Fracture Zone, one of the largest fracture zones crossing the Pacific, where we conducted the first-ever deep dive on this portion of the feature. During the dive, the remotely operated vehicles transited over a sediment-filled basin at the base of the fracture zone that was home to deepwater bamboo corals, carnivorous sponges, glass sponges, sea pigs, deep-sea lizardfish, and cusk eels. The team was able to explore along the exposed fault face, observing that the fault wall was likely heavily encrusted with ferromanganese. Exploring features along the fracture zone, including fault scarps and areas of structural weakness, may shed light on how fracture zones evolve over geologic time.
Dive 03: Unnamed Guyot Northeast of Volador Seamount
Date: April 13, 2025
Location: Lat: 26.87789°, Long: -168.0968°
Dive depth range: 880-1,117 meters (2,887-3,665 feet)
The goal of Dive 03 of the Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition was to investigate shallower depths of the rift arm and summit of an unnamed guyot (flat-topped seamount) northeast of Volador Seamount that was visited during an Ocean Exploration Trust expedition on Exploration Vessel Nautilus in 2018. Throughout the dive, a strikingly high density of stalked crinoids of an undescribed species were present. These stalked crinoids were the dominant fauna between approximately 1,110 meters (3,642 feet) and 990 meters (3,248 feet) depth and were particularly abundant in the lower-flow, higher-oxygen region of the seamount’s rift arm. At around 990 meters (3,248 feet) depth, the dominant fauna shifted towards corals from the genus Chrysogorgia, the majority of which had a “bottle brush” morphology. At the carbonate cap of the guyot, karst structures were apparent but this region of the guyot was notably sediment poor.
Dive 04: Unnamed Seamount 02 Northwest of Volador Seamount
Date: April 14, 2025
Location: Lat: 26.959851°, Long: -168.884967°
Dive depth range: 1,490-1,622 meters (4,888-5,322 feet)
Dive 04 of the Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition took place on the western ridge arm of an unnamed seamount northwest of Volador Seamount that was previously visited by during an Ocean Exploration Trust expedition on Exploration Vessel Nautilus. The goal of the dive was to investigate shallower depths to gauge the diversity of habitat types along the seamount and characterize the near-summit community. Upon reaching the seafloor, it was apparent that the site contained a low density of marine life; however, the dive provided rich insights into interactions between animals present in deep seamount ridge habitats. Observations of symbioses included numerous examples of brittle and basket stars seeking higher ground on coral and sponge stalks (both dead and alive), a sighting of a shrimp and its isopod parasite host, and a hermit crab with an anemone for a shell. The predominant large organisms visible for much of the beginning of the dive were hexactinellid (glass) sponges. Continuing up the rift arm, the seafloor community gradually shifted to include more bamboo corals, many of which had “whip” morphologies. Near the end of the dive, we encountered a high-density and high-diversity community living on large, cleaved basalt slabs in an area with a relatively high apparent sedimentation rate; genera of corals present in the community included Hemicorallium, Iridogorgia, Rhodaniridogorgia, Paragorgia, and Paramecium. Seafloor geology consisted primarily of ferromanganese-encrusted basalt, the features of which provided clues to the geologic history of the seamount. Large intrusive dikes were visible for much of the dive, as were columnar basalts and, at shallower depths, pillow basalts that provided a variety of terrain for animals.
Dive 05: Solide Seamount
Date: April 17, 2025
Location: Lat: 30.674588114499286°, Long: -174.5662104627955°
Dive depth range: 1,111-1,264.8 meters (3,644-4,150 feet)
Dive 05 explored the southwestern ridge of Solide Seamount adjacent to a scrap likely formed by a mass-wasting erosion event. The dive documented habitat transitions from approximately 1,260 meters (4,134 feet) up to the flat-topped 1,000-meter (3,280-foot) summit. Coral communities at this site were sparse compared to other sites in this expedition, and we noted a pronounced oxygen minimum zone beginning at 670 meters (2,200 feet) that extended to our maximum depth. Corals present included Enallopsammia, Madrepora, and several unusual Callogorgia morphotypes with unusually large holdfast bases (one of which was sampled for further analysis). While large coral colonies were few and far between, cup corals (likely Javania) were the most abundant benthic taxon at this site. During the dive, we observed several rare, undescribed, and/or likely new species of jellyfish. These included an undescribed species of the benthic jelly Ptychogastria, two unidentified corallivorous jellies, and a swimming Tiburonia granrojo (“big red jelly”). Notably, the corallivorous jellies were observed feeding: one on a colony of Metallogorgia coral, while another was found feeding on a Paragorgia coral. The geology at this site was also surprising, as this apparent guyot is basaltic and sediment-poor, with no evidence of the cap carbonates that would have been expected given the feature’s flat summit.
Dive 06: USS Yorktown 01
Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Restricted
Dive 06 took place on the final resting place of USS Yorktown (CV-5), a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that took part in several World War II operations before being sunk by a Japanese submarine following the Battle of Midway. The main focus of the dive was conducting follow-up investigation of the site, building off an archaeological survey completed in September 2023 as part of the Ala ʻAumoana Kai Uli expedition on Exploration Vessel Nautilus. During the dive, the team was able to capture imagery of several priority areas, including wings inside hangar spaces, the rarely photographed mural inside Elevator #2, the ship island, and a car in the aft portion of the hangar. The site is stewarded and protected by the Naval History and Heritage Command. Learn more about the 2025 Yorktown dives.
Dive 07: USS Yorktown 02
Date: April 20, 2025
Location: Restricted
For Dive 07, we returned to the site of USS Yorktown (CV-5) to continue exploration of this U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that took part in several World War II operations before being sunk by a Japanese submarine following the Battle of Midway. The dive started near where we ended yesterday, picking up near the ship’s stern and working up the starboard side to the outboard side of the island. We were able to collect more detailed imagery of the automobile discovered during Dive 06 and also identified the remains of at least three Battle of Midway aircraft in the ship’s #3 elevator. Imagery of the bomb strike aft of the island and of the starboard side of the island was also collected. Learn more about the 2025 Yorktown dives.
Dive 08: Midwater Site 01
Date: April 21, 2025
Location: Lat: 29.391151863639276°, Long: -177.4226046628771°
Dive depth range: 1,211-301 meters (3,645-988 feet)
Dive 08 was the first of two planned midwater dives, intended to explore the diversity and distribution of pelagic fauna in midwater communities of the northwestern region of Papahānamokuākea. This dive successfully recorded high-definition video transects at five predefined water depths (1,200 meters, 900 meters, 700 meters, 500 meters, and 300 meters; 3,940, 2,955, 2,300, 1,640, and 985 feet) as well as two depths targeting the deep scattering layer (600 meters/1,969 feet and 400 meters/1,312 feet).
A number of unusual cnidarians were observed at the first and deepest transect (1,200 meters), including some undescribed jellies in the genus Arctapodema and Halicreas (sampled). We also observed a new species of ctenophore.
On the second transect (900 meters), we observed a bioluminescent Erenna lacinata (lace siphonophore). More Halicrea jellies were seen, as were several Periphylla periphylla (merchant-cap jelly).
On transect three (700 meters), we saw more siphonophores, Halicera jellies, and a Sloane’s viperfish (Chauliodus sloani). We also encountered and collected what is likely a new species of glass squid (family Cranchiidae). The observation came moments before another larger pelagic squid (order Oegopsida) was sighted.
On the fourth transect (600 meters), we observed ctenophores (Deiopea sp.) and a sea butterfly (Pteropod). Another highlight was the observation of two Solmissus (dinner plate) jellies.
The fifth transect (500 meters) was notable for foraminifera (sampled), as well as another potential new species of ctenophore (also sampled).
The sixth transect (400 meters) consisted of abundant foraminifera, and a potential new species of siphonophore which was imaged, but not collected.
The seventh and final transect (300 meters) consisted of notably fewer organisms, but there were many particulates including “hairball-like” clumps of dead foraminifera and/or radiolaria. We observed a semi-transparent larval fish as well.
Dive 09: Wentworth Seamount
Date: April 22, 2025
Location: Lat: 28.87610°, Long: -177.87070°
Dive depth range: 2,026-2,116 meters (6,647-6,942 feet)
Dive 09 took place on the southwestern ridge arm of Wentworth Seamount, located to the northeast of Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). Upon reaching the seafloor, we found a medium-density community dominated by Walteria glass sponges on a loose talus substrate. Early in the dive, we also encountered an abundance of large Poliopogon sponges. This community was relatively consistent throughout, until the end of the dive when we found a large solitary dike feature that was nearly 15 meters (49 feet) of shear vertical wall running for over 11 meters (36 feet) in length but only 4 meters (13 feet) wide. The up-current side of this wall hosted numerous large Hemicorallium colonies with several large Primnoids corals interspersed.
Dive 10: Unnamed Seamount 03 - Northwest of Holanikū (Kure Atoll)
Date: April 23, 2025
Location: Lat: 28.77947°, Long: -179.12675°
Dive depth range: 1,365-1,462 meters (4,478-4,797 feet)
During Dive 10, we explored an unnamed seamount northwest of Holanikū (Kure Atoll), beginning on a ridge arm that was largely devoid of visible life, save for some small Hemicorallium and Paragorgia corals on what is presumed to be large pillow basalts that created a complex topography. Throughout the dive, we observed numerous examples of symbioses between corals and associates, including Chrysogorgia corals and Uroptychus squat lobsters and a Farreid glass sponge with an Antipathes black coral growing on (and inside) of the sponge. A high abundance of apparent predatory chitons (likely Placiphorella sp. nov.) were also observed exhibiting feeding behavior. Towards the final portion of the dive, we encountered an impressive high-density and high-diversity coral community composed of large Hemicorallium colonies growing across multiple ridges and valleys made of interspersed laminated sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Within this community, there was a notable lack of coral predators such as sea stars.
Dive 11: Unnamed Seamount 04 - Northwest of Holanikū (Kure Atoll)
Date: April 24, 2025
Location: Lat: 29.671156°, Long: 179.348885°
Dive depth range: 367-540 meters (1,204-1,771 feet)
Dive 11 was the shallowest dive of the Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition, taking place at depths between 360-524 meters (1,181-1,719 feet) on an unnamed seamount northwest of Holanikū (Kure Atoll). Given the shallower depth, the communities encountered during the dive were different than what had been seen previously. Between depths of 540 and 410 meters (1,771 and 1,345 feet), we observed primnoid and paramuriceid corals that were home to a range of brittle stars and basket stars. Around 410 meters depth, the dominant coral cover transitioned to purple corals soft corals (family Nidaliidae). These abundant soft corals covered the ridge at this depth; they are likely a new species, making their dominance particularly striking. Associated with many of these corals were ophiuroid sea stars, which are also likely a new species. Throughout the dive, we observed numerous fish, several large sting rays, and our first octopus of the expedition. In total, 15 biological samples were collected that represent potentially undescribed or new species. The substrate at this depth of the seamount ridge was composed of a carbonate reef with fossil corals, mollusks, tubeworms, and other likely carbonate producers in a largely carbonate matrix. Larger-scale features seen suggest that this area is a fossil reef, with large karst features visible in deeper areas of the dive where hardgrounds were more abundant.
Dive 12: Unnamed Seamount 05
Date: April 25, 2025
Location: Lat: 28.158225941218323°, Long: 178.0077028207203°
Dive depth range: 2,395-2,253 meters (7,857-7,393 feet)
Dive 12 explored an isolated, recently discovered volcanic feature at the southwestern edge of Papahānaumokuākea, with a summit depth of approximately 2,000 meters (6,562 feet). The site’s remote location and terrain provided a unique opportunity to study a deep-sea ecosystem separate from the main Hawaiian chain.
On descent, midwater organisms such as planktonic foraminifera, radiolaria, ctenophores, and jellyfish were observed in the deep scattering layer. On the seafloor, the team encountered steep, variable terrain dominated by encrusted pillow basalts, some of which were sampled for geochemical analysis. Sediment samples were also collected to assess carbonate input and benthic infauna composition.
Despite low overall biomass, the seafloor community was diverse. Corals included bottle brush corals (Chrysogorgia sp.), bamboo corals (Adinisis sp.), whip corals (Primnoidae), and Hemicorallium colonies. Large sponges (Poliopogon sp.) hosted various organisms, including a likely new species of benthic ctenophore (Tjalfiella sp. nov.), which was sampled along with its host. Echinoderm diversity was also notable, with sightings of a potentially new black crinoid (Comatulida, collected), sea cucumbers (Oneirophanta sp.), sea stars (Goniaster sp.) preying on corals, sun stars (Solasteridae) and brittle stars (Ophiacanthidae, Astrophiura sp.).
Dive 13: Deep Volcanic Dome - Extreme Western Papahānaumokuākea
Date: April 26, 2025
Location: Lat: 27.39883°, Long: 179.869644°
Dive depth range: 4,149-4,363 meters (13,612-14,314 feet)
Dive 13 took us deep (4,400 meters/14,435 feet) to explore a recently discovered submerged volcanic feature at the western edge of Papahānaumokuākea. Upon reaching the seafloor, we observed a number of unusual organisms; within the first hour of the dive, eight biological samples were collected, most, if not all, of which represent likely new or undescribed species and range extensions. We also observed numerous feeding events, including snails and sea stars that appeared to be voracious detritivores. As we moved towards the seamount’s summit, the density of organisms remained relatively sparse and the diversity of the communities remained relatively constant. Notably, a number of large Caulophacus sponges with stalks of 2-3 meters (6.5-9.8 feet) in length were present along the slope and on the summit flats.
Geologically, this site was extremely interesting. The slope of this dome volcano consists primarily of small pillow basalts, which, upon sampling, were found to be heavily encrusted and readily fragmented. These small pillows may imply that this volcano had a lower melt production and/or effusion rate that produced the “dribbly flows” that contributed to the “pancake” shape of this feature. We also observed numerous slump features as we made our way towards the summit, providing an opportunity to collect rock samples that will help to determine the geologic age of this volcano. Further upslope, we observed pillow basalts that were cracked and partially drained, suggesting their current locations are where they were originally emplaced. Across all geologic features there was thick overgrowth of ferromanganese crust, and some fragments showed evidence of heavy geochemical alteration.
Dive 14: Unnamed Seamount 05: South of Hōlanikū
Date: April 27, 2025
Location: Lat: 27.579604°, Long: -178.50124°
Dive depth range: 2,229-2,397 meters (7,313-7,864 feet)
Dive 14 took place on the western ridge arm of an unnamed seamount, about 45 nautical miles south of Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll). The dive started on a talus field of boulders with sediment channels that displayed visible ripples. A number of corals were present here, including Bathypathes alternata, Iridogorgia, Ramuligorgia, and Stoloniferan corals. Continuing up the ridge wall, we began to see large Poliopogon sponges and primnoid corals. We encountered a large, sheer wall of pillow basalt flows that was home to a very diverse community, including corals in the genera Hemicorallium, Narella, Chrysogorgia, and Calyptrophora and bamboo corals of various morphologies; ferreid sponges; Goniasterid sea stars preying on bamboo corals; and a variety of crustaceans, including squat lobsters and shrimp. Upon reaching the ridgeline, we encountered a hummocky ridge composed of large mounds of pillow basalts bordered by sediment-filled talus piles. The biological community here was diverse, comprised of corals (bamboo, Chrysogorgiid, precious, and black corals), sponges (in the genera Walteria, Aspidoscopulia, Bolosoma, and Caulophacus); and a variety of mollusks and crustaceans. The dive ended with a view of fan and whip coral morphologies scattered among a pillow basalt landscape.
Dive 15: Unnamed Seamount 07
Date: April 28, 2025
Location: Lat: 25.692612649547435°, Long: -177.32131075226283°
Dive depth range: 2,390-2,244 meters (7,841-7,362 feet)
Dive 15 explored an unnamed seamount southwest of the Salmon Bank formation. Due to its geographic isolation from the main Hawaiian chain, the team hoped this dive could provide a useful comparison to more connected localities. Upon reaching the dive’s bottom depth of 2400 meters, the pilots of the remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer reported a strong downwelling that significantly hindered uphill progress in the deeper regions of the dive. Coral communities here had morphologies that were well-suited for this high-flow environment, including fan- and whip-type corals in the genera Narella, Chrysogorgia, Calyptrophora, and Hemicorallium and squat black corals in the genera Stauropathes, Bathypathes, and Trissopathes.
As the dive progressed, the landscape fluctuated between cobble fields interspersed with sediment pools and large, sloping pillow basalt flows. Extensive fields of lyrate Calyptrophora corals were observed on some of the pillow basalt pavements. Closer to the summit, we found and collected four likely new or undescribed species: a feather star (Crinoidea), an extremely mobile brittle star (Ophimyxidae), a snail (likely Margaritidae), and a sea cucumber (likely Synallactidae). While the communities present on this seamount were not dense, they contained a number of organisms new to Western science.
This seamount was also well-suited for geological sampling. Two pillow basalt fragments were collected for analysis. Sediments at the bottom depth at the dive were also collected as well as water samples taken at regular intervals across the dive transect. The dive ended with a view of a dense Calyptrophora coral forest on top of a pillow basalt hill.
Dive 16: Paul Seamount
Date: April 30, 2025
Location: Lat: 23.44580°, Long: -172.54120°
Dive depth range: 1,738-1,900 meters (5,702-6,234 feet)
Dive 16 took place on the southeast arm of ridge-shaped Paul Seamount in the Wentworth Seamount Chain. At the start of the dive, a powerful downhill current was observed flowing over a high-density and high-diversity community of corals and sponges that included individuals from many coral taxa (Chrysogorgia, Hemicorallium, and Keratoisididae), as well as large Poliopogon sponges. This high-density and high-diversity community quickly faded away as the remotely operated vehicles transitioned from basalt pavement to a cobble field. This sparse community had a number of large Poliopogon sponges as well as multibranched, whip-morph corals. The presence of high-density communities changed as the seafloor transitioned, appearing in the presence of pavement and fading out as the seafloor changed to cobble. The transitions were stark and particularly notable. While the communities of “megafauna” were patchy and changed in sync with the terrain type, microfauna were consistently abundant throughout the dive. An extremely high abundance of arborescent foraminifera (family Dendrophyridae) growing on hardground substrate were observed, as well as a number of other encrusting foraminifera, komokiaceans, hydroids, and tube worms. These observations highlight the contribution of microfauna to biomass on the seafloor. Throughout the dive, the team collected several possible new species, including one specimen that none of the shipboard and shoreside science party could identify until it was brought onto the ship and determined to be a likely new species of worm-like mollusk (Aplacophora; genus Plawenia?).
Meet the Explorers
Naming every participant in a telepresence-enabled expedition is next to impossible, as scientists from around the world have provided input into the expedition plan and are expected to participate in dives from shore. However, we've assembled information about the members of the team who are regularly contributing throughout the expedition, either from the ship or on shore – meet the team!
Sara Kahanamoku-Meyer
Expedition Science Co-Lead
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Brian Kennedy
Expedition Science Co-Lead
Ocean Discovery League
Sam Cuellar
Expedition Coordinator
NOAA Ocean Exploration
Neah Baechler
Mapping Watch Lead
NOAA Ocean Exploration
Jason Meyer
Mapping Watch Lead
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Chris Ritter
Remotely Operated Vehicle Team Lead
Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration
Education Content
Education theme pages provide the best of what the NOAA Ocean Exploration website has to offer to support educators in the classroom during this expedition. Each theme page includes expedition features, lessons, multimedia, career information, and associated past expeditions.
From the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Deep-Sea Coral
Related Links
Expeditions
Technology
Media Contacts
Emily Crum
Communications Specialist
NOAA Ocean Exploration
ocean-explore-comms@noaa.gov
Keeley Belva
Public Affairs Officer
NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
keeley.belva@noaa.gov
Jennifer Crawford
Pacific Islands Region Communications Coordinator
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
jennifer.crawford@noaa.gov
For more information, visit the Media Resources page.
Expeditions conducted by NOAA Ocean Exploration as part of Beyond the Blue will contribute to the National Strategy for Exploring, Mapping, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and Seabed 2030.
Data collected during all expeditions will be available in NOAA’s public data archives within 90-120 days of its completion and will be accessible via the NOAA Ocean Exploration Data Atlas.
Published April 7, 2025
Updated April 14, 2025