Deep-sea expedition to investigate seamounts in Papahanaumokuakea
A deep-sea expedition in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument will be streamed live, allowing participants to interact with scientists and watch live undersea footage through May 1.
Researchers aboard the Ocean Exploration Trust’s Exploration Vessel Nautilus will investigate underwater mountains known as seamounts during expedition Lu‘uaeaahikiikekumu, building on the accomplishments of the 2021 Lu‘uaeaahikiikalipolipo expedition, which mapped the Lili‘uokalani Ridge Seamounts. Looking to investigate a puzzling split in the seamount trail, the team will be conducting the first visual exploratory surveys of the seamount chain and gathering samples to determine the geologic origin and age of the seamounts, according to a news release from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of National
Marine Sanctuaries.
Scientists expect to find rich coral and sponge communities, which can be found thousands of feet deep on seamounts throughout Papahanaumokuakea.
Members of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument developed the expedition name of Lu‘uaeaahikiikekumu. Since this expedition is returning to the Lili‘uokalani Seamount, this name is a reflection of the journey to where the work began, as well as figuratively returning to the source and foundation of the ocean and islands, according to the news release.
This includes surveying and mapping seamounts, as well as investigating macro-biology and deep-sea rocks.
For more information on the expedition, visit sanctuaries .noaa.gov/live/2022/oet.html. To follow the expedition live, visit NautilusLive.org.