Deep-Sea Dialogues

Over the last few decades, submersible technology has continued to advance to overcome the challenges of exploring deep waters, allowing explorers to visualize, sample, and survey our planet’s deep-sea environments with greater and greater ease - but it is still not easy and incredibly talented engineers continue to work hard to increase the efficiency, scope and speed at which we can explore our vastly unknown ocean! Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 1.27 GB).

Good maps are critical tools for exploration. Seafloor mapping is the first step of ocean exploration operations during expeditions to new areas. Explorers use state-of-the-art multibeam sonar technologies to determine seafloor and water column details before planning remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives to collect images, video and samples that help to further understand our ocean and its inhabitants. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 1.2 GB).

Cold seeps are places throughout the global ocean where chemicals like hydrogen sulfide, methane, and other hydrocarbon-rich fluids and/or gasses escape from fissures in the ocean floor. These sites support diverse biological communities that are fueled by chemosynthesis, rather than photosynthesis. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 193 MB).

Most seamounts are remnants of extinct, underwater volcanoes. They are found in every ocean basin, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Seamounts are often hotspots for biodiversity because they provide a hard substrate for deep-sea organisms to attach and grow, and interact with deep-sea currents driving nutrients up from the seafloor. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 328 MB).

Over half of all known coral species are found in deep, dark waters where temperatures range from 4-12°C (39-54°F). Deep-sea corals can live as individuals or as colonies that form extensive reefs and provide habitat for many other species. This video interview features Randi Rotjan, Ph.D. who shares some of the wonders of these incredible, and fragile ecosystems. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 789 MB).

Bioluminescence, the production of light by living organisms, is an incredible natural phenomenon that occurs in several deep-sea organisms (as well as those on land, although less common). This video interview features PhD candidate Rene Martin, who studies the evolution of deep-sea fishes and the "why" and "how" behind bioluminescence. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 600 MB).

Hydrothermal vents are dynamic, diverse ecosystems that exist in the absence of sunlight. This video features scientific experts who explain the geological processes that form these other-worldly ecosystems and the biological communities that call them home. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 352 MB).

Underwater robots play a big part in deep sea exploration. This video features interviews with experts in underwater robot engineering and operations, providing a window into who builds and operates them, the engineering design process, and what the future of ocean exploration may look like. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 335 MB).

Deep-ocean predators come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have limited amounts of available food. Learn more about techniques predators use to catch their prey in this video, which also features a discussion with Dr. Scott France, a marine biologist from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 559 MB).