Mission Plan
Mission Plan

Education
Education

The Wonderful World of Seaweeds
Seaweeds

Connecting The Dots
Connecting The Dots

Coral Diversity
Coral Diversity

Coral Distribution & Abundance
Coral Distribution & Abundance

Explorers
Explorers

Information

Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos taken during the Gulf of Mexico Deep Sea Habitats expedition that took place September 21 - October 3, 2003. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a picture of a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a QuickTime video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Other video formats are available on the linked pages. If a Podcast icon Podcast Icon is present, a video or audio file is available for download or you can subscribe to the RSS Podcast Feed. NOAA Podcast RSS 2.0 Feed

slideshow icon If a picture of a slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

 

camera icon Video & Slideshows

The extraordinary biological diversity of the Gulf of Mexico.

podcast icon camera icon Summary
The extraordinary biological diversity of the Gulf of Mexico. (QuickTime, 2.4 Mb)

Scientist use sampling techniques that have minimal impact on the Northern Gulf of Mexico Deep Water Habitats.

camera icon Summary
Scientist use sampling techniques that have minimal impact on the Northern Gulf of Mexico Deep Water Habitats. (QuickTime, 1.9 Mb)

Various digital still photographs of prepared scientific specimens collected from the Gulf of Mexico.

slideshow icon Summary
Various digital still photographs of prepared scientific specimens collected from the Gulf of Mexico.

 

 

Images

The Northern Gulf of Mexico Deep Water Habitats science party

Summary
The Northern Gulf of Mexico Deep Water Habitats science party. (HR)

White anemones were found intermingled with orange gorgonian.

Summary
White anemones were found intermingled with orange gorgonian. (HR)

Often found solitary Cup corals do not form reefs like shallow water corals

Summary
Often found solitary Cup corals do not form reefs like shallow corals. (HR)

Lophelia pertusa in a field of anemones and sponges

Summary
Lophelia pertusa in a field of anemones and sponges. (HR)

A scorpionfish with a mound of anemones and sponges in the background

Summary
A scorpionfish with a mound of anemones and sponges. (HR)

A Bamboo coral (Acanella sp.)

Summary
A Bamboo coral (Acanella sp.).

Skate egg cases attached to a field of Primnoid corals

Summary
Skate egg cases attached to a field of Primnoid corals.

A red gorgonian (1x)

Summary
A red gorgonian (1x).

A red gorgonian (4x)

Summary
A red gorgonian (4x).

A red gorgonian (10x)

Summary
A red gorgonian (10x).

The approximate route of the NW Gulf of Mexico cruise.

Summary
The approximate route of the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown during the NW Gulf of Mexico cruise. (HR)

A Collage of red algae

Summary
Collage of red algae collected at the West Flower Garden Bank, including two undescribed species.

A collage of several of the more conspicuous invertebrates

Summary
A collage of invertebrates sampled during the cruise – some still awaiting identification.

Basalt blocks at the base of one of the spires of Alderdice Bank with a trumpetfish in the foreground.

Summary
Alderdice Bank Basalt blocks at the base of a spires with a trumpetfish in the foreground. (HR)

Alderdice Bank basalt spire.

Summary
Alderdice Bank basalt spire. (HR)

A 80 million year old basalt rock

Summary
This is a piece of 80 million year old basalt rock collected from the base of Alderdice Bank. (HR)

Students and teachers gather on the dock

October 3
Students and teachers gather on the dock.

Students view live squat lobsters collected during the cruise

October 3
Students view live squat lobsters collected during the cruise.

Students view some of the deep sea corals and sponges

October 3
Students view some of the deep sea corals and sponges.

Sonsub technician, Ray Maza, speaks with students

October 3
Sonsub technician, Ray Maza, speaks with students.

NOAA corps LTJG Jennifer Pralgo introducing students to the bridge

October 3
NOAA corps LTJG Jennifer Pralgo introducing students to the bridge.

Callogorgia coral along with a solitary cup coral

October 1
Callogorgia coral along with a solitary cup coral.

A large Madrepora coral along with Primnoa coral seen in the pictures lower left corner

October 1
A large Madrepora coral along with Primnoa coral seen in the pictures lower left corner.

Wind and waves building during the last dive

October 1
Wind and waves building during the last dive.

The Spanish flag (Gonioplectrus hispanus)

September 30
The Spanish flag (Gonioplectrus hispanus).

Over 200 species of coral reef fish occur in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico

September 30
Over 200 species of coral reef fish occur in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.

Deep Reef Fish Diversity Legend

September 30
Deep Reef Fish Diversity Legend.

The yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura)

September 30
The yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura).

The threadnose bass (Anthias tenuis)

September 30
The threadnose bass (Anthias tenuis).

A banner blenny (Emblemaria atlanticus)

September 30
A banner blenny (Emblemaria atlanticus).

The yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura)

September 30
The yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura).

A juvenile scamp (Mycteroperca phenax)

September 30
A juvenile scamp (Mycteroperca phenax).

Seabeam image of bathymetry at Diaphus Bank

September 29
Seabeam image of bathymetry at Diaphus Bank.

Scorpion fish collected of Diaphus Bank

September 29
Scorpion fish collected of Diaphus Bank. (HR)

The rare and highly poisonous berried anemone of the Diaphus Bank

September 29
The rare and highly poisonous berried anemone of the Diaphus Bank. (HR)

A beautiful urchin, Astropyga magnifica

September 29
A beautiful urchin, Astropyga magnifica. (HR)

The shrimp Tuleariocaris neglecta, is reported to live amongst the spines of the long-spined urchin, Diadema sp

September 29
The shrimp Tuleariocaris neglecta. (HR)

A dorsal view of a small squat lobster, Galathea sp

September 29
A dorsal view of a small squat lobster, Galathea sp. (HR)

Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) swims through coral reef habitat

September 29
Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda). (HR)

Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) cruising the boundary between spur and groove reef habitat

September 29
Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum). (HR)

Foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) in a colony of Acropora cervicornis (stag horn coral)

September 29
Foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) a colony of (stag horn coral).

Juvenile threespot damselfish in a pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus)

September 29
Juvenile threespot damselfish in a pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus).

Simplified flow diagram showing the flow of energy, as food, through an idealized coral reef model

September 29
A Diagram showing the flow of energy, as food, through an idealized coral reef model.

 

 

Sonsub technicians at the winch controls during a launch of the Innovator ROV

September 28
Sonsub technicians at the winch controls during a launch of the Innovator ROV.

Oblique view of WFGB, looking northward

September 28
Oblique view of WFGB, looking northward.

coralline algal nodules (rhodoliths)

September 28
Coralline algal nodules (rhodoliths).

Coralline algal nodules, associated algal partners, and a few corals collected at the western mound

September 28
Coralline algal nodules, associated algal partners, collected at the western mound. (HR)

A bucket of marine sponges was collected during a single ROV dive at the West Flower Garden Bank

September 28
Marine sponges collected during a single ROV dive at the West Flower Garden. Bank (HR)

A delicate juvenile sea star, Coronaster briareus

September 28
A delicate juvenile sea star, Coronaster briareus. (HR)

Many seaweeds look superficially similar

September 28
Many seaweeds look superficially similar. (HR)

Seaweeds that show diagnostic morphological features are viewed with light microscopy

September 28
Diagnostic morphological features are viewed with light microscopy. (HR)

Seaweeds are pressed on herbarium sheets for further study and repository in botanical Herbaria

September 28
Seaweeds are pressed on herbarium sheets for further study. (HR)

preserving a specimen in silicagel for molecular examination

September 28
Preserving a specimen in silicagel for molecular examination. (HR)

Deepwater seaweeds freshly collected

September 28
Deepwater seaweeds freshly collected. (HR)

A herbarium sheet with red algae

September 28
A herbarium sheet with red algae. (HR)

Members of the crew and science party enjoy a fiery sunset

September 27
Members of the crew and science party enjoy a fiery sunset.

spotted dolphin provide a spectacular show as they ride the wake of the bow

September 27
spotted dolphin provide a spectacular show as they ride the wake of the bow.

A spectacular sunset off the bow of the Ron Brown

September 27
A spectacular sunset off the bow of the Ron Brown.

small boat launched from the Sonsub ship makes its way to the Ron Brown

September 27
small boat launched from the Sonsub ship makes its way to the Ron Brown.

Innovator ROV parts being transferred from Sonsub crew

September 27
Innovator ROV parts being transferred from Sonsub crew.

Sonsub technician, Maurice Rivard, works on the Innovator ROV

September 27
Sonsub technician, Maurice Rivard, works on the Innovator ROV.

Innovator ROV being launched from the Ron Brown during a test dive

September 27
Innovator ROV being launched from the Ron Brown during a test dive.

Sonsub technicians at the controls of the ROV in the control van

September 27
Sonsub technicians at the controls of the ROV in the control van.

Sonsub technicians victory pose after a successful ROV test dive

September 27
Sonsub technicians victory pose after a successful ROV test dive.

A seafloor map of Alderdice Bank

September 27
A seafloor map of Alderdice Bank.

A photograph of the mysterious basalt outcrop on Alderdice Bank

September 27
A photograph of the mysterious basalt outcrop on Alderdice Bank.

A picture of authigenic carbonate ridges

September 27
A picture of authigenic carbonate ridges.

Thick clouds of fish around one of the basalt spires at Alderdice Bank

September 26
Thick clouds of fish around one of the basalt spires at Alderdice Bank.

Alderdice Bank features two towers of basalt over 60’ tall, and one large elevated region to the east, featuring sponges, gorgonians, and leafy green algae

September 26
Alderdice Bank features two towers of basalt. (HR)

A piece of basalt collected at 162’

September 26
A piece of basalt collected at 162’ (HR)

These tube worms are the size of pins and were found at the base of the orange sponge that was collected on piece of basalt

September 26
Pin size tube worms found at the base of the orange sponge. (HR)

Sampling deep sea coral from a colony in the Gulf of Mexico at 1178 feet

September 26
Sampling deep sea coral from a colony in the Gulf of Mexico at 1178 feet.

A multitude of questions can be answered by one specimen

September 26
A multitude of questions can be answered by one specimen.

Peter Etnoyer in the wet lab of the R/V Ron Brown

September 26
Peter Etnoyer in the wet lab of the R/V Ron Brown.

The polyp of a small Antipatharian observed under a microscope

September 26
The polyp of a small Antipatharian observed under a microscope.

A ‘clam shell’ collecting apparatus is used to attempt the captuer of the elusive tinsel fish

September 25
Attempting the captuer of the elusive tinsel fish.

The ROV pilot used a suction device to collect this lovely yellow sea star.

September 25
The ROV pilot used a suction device to collect this lovely yellow sea star.

Sonsub technician, Lucas Cribley

September 25
Sonsub technician, Lucas Cribley. (HR)

Peter Etnoyer from MCBI hands University of Oregon scientist Sandra Brooke a rock collected at Green Canyon.

September 25
Scientist handle a rock collected at Green Canyon. (HR)

redeye gaper fish and brittle star

September 25
A redeye gaper fish and brittle star say. (HR)

The dense coral habitat of the 3-toothed squat lobster at Green Canyon

September 25
The dense coral habitat of the 3-toothed squat lobster at Green Canyon. (HR)

The three-toothed squat lobster, Munidopsis tridentata

September 25
The three-toothed squat lobster, Munidopsis tridentata. (HR)

Oil is a fossil fuel formed from plankton

September 25
Oil is a fossil fuel formed from plankton.

Cross-section of an oil deposit

September 25
Cross-section of an oil deposit.

Two conventional oil platforms located near the mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico

September 25
Conventional oil platforms located near the mouth of the Mississippi.

 

 

 

 

The first team of the day annotate the video coming from the ROV

September 24
The first team of the day annotate the video coming from the ROV.

Lophelia pertusa bushes with several painted squat lobsters in the background and a golden crinoid in the foreground

September 24
Lophelia pertusa bushes with several painted squat lobsters and a golden crinoid.

A large shark swimming around large clusters of Lophelia bushes

September 24
A large shark swimming around large clusters of Lophelia bushes.

The painted squat lobster is a newly documented species in the Gulf of Mexico

September 24
The painted squat lobster is a newly documented species in the Gulf of Mexico.

Lophelia pertusa samples

September 24
Lophelia pertusa samples.

A painted squat lobster collected at Viosca Knoll

September 24
A painted squat lobster collected at Viosca Knoll.

A painted squat lobster collected at Viosca Knoll

September 24
A painted squat lobster collected at Viosca Knoll.

A close-up view of a painted squat lobster collected at Viosca Knoll

September 24
A close-up view of a painted squat lobster collected at Viosca Knoll.

Flying the Innovator ROV during surveys at Viosca Knoll

September 23
Flying the Innovator ROV during surveys at Viosca Knoll. (HR)

Fields of white anemones along with a occasional orange gorgonians

September 23
Fields of white anemones along with a occasional orange gorgonians.

A large number of basket stars were found entwined within this octocoral

September 23
A large number of basket stars were found entwined within this octocoral. (HR)

The tether management system sits on top of the ROV during deployment and recovery of the sub

September 23
Using a tether management system to deploy and recover the ROV. (HR)

The single colony of bright-white Lophelia pertusa coral along with a variety of anemones

September 23
The single colony of bright-white Lophelia pertusa coral along with a variety of anemones. (HR)

Simplified cross-section showing a slice through the geologic layers under the Gulf of Mexico

September 23
A Simplified cross-section showing the geologic layers under the Gulf of Mexico.

Top view of typical salt dome fault patterns

September 23
Top view of typical salt dome fault patterns.

Bright Bank, and underwater salt dome on the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico

September 23
Bright Bank, and underwater salt dome on the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico.

Small boat launched from the Ron Brown

September 22
Small boat launched from the Ron Brown. (HR)

Welch Generator replaces the burned out generator parts with the assistance of technicians from Sonsub and C&C Technologies

September 22
Technicians replace the burned out generator parts. (HR)

A view of Venice, LA from the bow of the Ronald H. Brown

September 22
A view of Venice, LA from the bow of the Ronald H. Brown.

Test set-up of the digital video camera with strobes

September 22
Test set-up of the digital video camera with strobes.

NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown docked at the Port of Panama City, Florida

September 21
The NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown docked at the Port of Panama City, Florida. (HR)

John McDonough, Jeff Ellett, and Will Schroeder discuss the ROV dive schedule

September 21
Discussing the ROV dive schedule before the first science meeting. (HR)

The first science meeting on board the Ronald H. Brown

September 21
The first science meeting on board the Ronald H. Brown. (HR)

Sonsub Inc. ROV Innovator technician preparing for the mission

September 21
The Gulf of Mexico is peppered with thousands of oil platforms. (HR)

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