Mission Plan
Mission Plan

Education
Education

Coral Conservation
Coral Conservation

Coral Ageing
Coral Ageing


Geology
Geology

Collaboration
Collaboration

Equipment
Equipment

Explorers
Explorers


Information

 

Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos from the Davidson Seamount: Exploring Ancient Coral Gardens Expedition. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Multiple 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.

If a slideshow icon 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

View a slide show illustrating some science activities that took place off the California coastline during an earlier expedition to Davidson Seamount.

camera icon View a slide show illustrating some science activities that took place during an earlier expedition to Davidson Seamount (2002).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images

The explorers on the Davidson Seamount: Exploring Ancient Coral Gardens 2006 expedition return to Moss Landing harbor.

Mission Summary
The explorers on the Davidson Seamount: Exploring Ancient Coral Gardens 2006 expedition return to Moss Landing harbor.

Our last dive was completed just a few hours before heading home.

Mission Summary
Our last dive was completed just a few hours before heading home.

Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) swarm around Tiburon, possibly attracted to its lights.

Mission Summary
Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) swarm around Tiburon, possibly attracted to its lights.

 

 

The red lobate comb jelly (Lampocteis sp.).

February 4 Log
The red lobate comb jelly (Lampocteis sp.).

The stalked tunicate (Culeolus sp.).

February 4 Log
The stalked tunicate (Culeolus sp.).

A mid-water octopus (probably Japetella sp.).

February 4 Log
A mid-water octopus (probably Japetella sp.).

A swimming crinoid, also called a feather star (Florometra sp.).

February 4 Log
A swimming crinoid, also called a feather star (Florometra sp.).

Bubblegum coral (Paragorgia arborea).

February 4 Log
Bubblegum coral (Paragorgia arborea).

 

 

 

Erica Burton consults the collections protocol guide.

February 3 Log
Erica Burton consults the collections protocol guide.

Chief scientist Andrew DeVogelaere holds a black-coral specimen.

February 3 Log
Chief scientist Andrew DeVogelaere holds a black-coral specimen.

Pandalid shrimps cover a yellow Picasso sponge.

February 3 Log
Pandalid shrimps cover a yellow Picasso sponge.

This bright red Lithodid crab is in the same family as king crabs.

February 3 Log
This bright red Lithodid crab is in the same family as king crabs.

The control room stations (from left): co-pilot, pilot, science, annotation, and navigation.

February 2 Log
The control room stations (from left): co-pilot, pilot, science, annotation, and navigation.

Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pilot Bryan Schaefer uses a heat gun to repair an electrical cable in the hydraulic system.

February 2 Log
Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pilot Bryan Schaefer uses a heat gun to repair an electrical cable in the hydraulic system.

A crane releases the Tiburon through the 'moonpool' doors in the launch bay floor.

February 2 Log
A crane releases the Tiburon through the "moonpool" doors in the launch bay floor.

Huff McGonigal takes his turn in the science chair.

February 2 Log
Huff McGonigal takes his turn in the science chair.

This is a video transect view of a valley on the northeast end of Davidson Seamount.

February 1 Log
This is a video transect view of a valley on the northeast end of Davidson Seamount.

Large bubblegum corals, bright yellow Picasso sponges, white ruffle sponges, basket stars, plus other animals cover the highest peaks of Davidson Seamount.

February 1 Log
Large bubblegum corals, bright yellow Picasso sponges, white ruffle sponges, basket stars, plus other animals cover the highest peaks of Davidson Seamount.

The suspended current meter hangs below its float-pack and beyond the ROV's manipulator arm.

February 1 Log
The suspended current meter hangs below its float-pack and beyond the ROV's manipulator arm.

The ROV Tiburon gently sets down one of the current meters used to measure the water-flow rate on one of Davidson’s peaks.

February 1 Log
The ROV Tiburon gently sets down one of the current meters used to measure the water-flow rate on one of Davidson’s peaks.

Tiburon’s manipulator arm holds the silver current meter while researchers take a reading in one of Davidson's many valleys.

February 1 Log
Tiburon’s manipulator arm holds the silver current meter while researchers take a reading in one of Davidson's many valleys.

Niskin bottles Number 7 and Number 8 are ready and in the 'open' position before the ROV is launched for the day.

February 1 Log
Niskin bottles Number 7 and Number 8 are ready and in the "open" position before the ROV is launched for the day.

 

 

As the science crew's data manager, Chad King adds value to raw data and makes it easier to retrieve and use later.

January 31 Log
As the science crew's data manager, Chad King adds value to raw data and makes it easier to retrieve and use later.

This screen shot shows one of the data entry pages for this cruise.

January 31 Log
This screen shot shows one of the data entry pages for this cruise.

This map shows the two peaks on the northeast end of Davidson Seamount that we explored on Day 5.

January 31 Log
This map shows the two peaks on the northeast end of Davidson Seamount that we explored on Day 5.

 

 

This unidentified cnidarian (invertebrate characterized by a radially symmetrical body and internal cavity) resembles a Venus flytrap.

January 30 Log
This unidentified cnidarian (invertebrate characterized by a radially symmetrical body and internal cavity) resembles a Venus flytrap.

This curious octopus (Benthoctopus sp.) was found at 2,422 m depth next to an orange stalked crinoid (feather star) on the Davidson Seamount.

January 30 Log
This curious octopus (Benthoctopus sp.) was found at 2,422 m depth next to an orange stalked crinoid (feather star) on the Davidson Seamount.

A red, flat, Spanish dancer sea cucumber (Benthodytes sp.) hovers at 2,789 m depth on Davidson Seamount.

January 30 Log
A red, flat, Spanish dancer sea cucumber (Benthodytes sp.) hovers at 2,789 m depth on Davidson Seamount.

 

 

Bamboo coral can live to be more than 200 years old.

January 29 Log
Bamboo coral can live to be more than 200 years old.

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) manipulator arm adds bamboo coral to the bio box on the ROV sled.

January 29 Log
The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) manipulator arm adds bamboo coral to the bio box on the ROV sled.

The ROV pilots used the manipulator arm to pick up this colony of pink coral still attached to a rock — without breaking any branches.

January 29 Log
The ROV pilots used the manipulator arm to pick up this colony of pink coral still attached to a rock — without breaking any branches.

We discovered these pink Corallium corals along the flank of the hill we named 'Corallium Cap' just to the east of 'Big Valley.'

January 29 Log
We discovered these pink Corallium corals along the flank of the hill we named 'Corallium Cap' just to the east of 'Big Valley.'

The ROV's mechanical arm holds the current meter in front of a bubblegum coral (Paragorgia sp.) to measure the flow of particles around the coral.

January 28 Log
The ROV's mechanical arm holds a current meter in front of a bubblegum coral to measure the flow of particles around the coral.

Penny Allen (center) and Warwick Sloss (left) from the BBC confer with MBARI scientist Jim Barry.

January 28 Log
Penny Allen (center) and Warwick Sloss (left) from the BBC confer with MBARI scientist Jim Barry.

Cameraman Warwick Sloss adjusts the light through the round kreisel tank in preparation for filming mid-water animals.

January 28 Log
Cameraman Warwick Sloss adjusts the light through the round kreisel tank in preparation for filming mid-water animals.

Warwick Sloss films the Atolla jelly in the kreisel tank after a long day of ROV dives.

January 28 Log
Warwick Sloss films the Atolla jelly in the kreisel tank after a long day of ROV dives.

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Tiburon is launched though the 'moonpool,' a special opening in the middle of the research vessel (R/V) Western Flyer.

January 27 Log
The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Tiburon is launched though the "moonpool," a special opening in the the research vessel (R/V) Western Flyer.

Research technician Lonny Lundsten at the video annotation and reference system (VARS) console aboard the R/V Western Flyer.

January 27 Log
Research technician Lonny Lundsten at the video annotation and reference system (VARS) console aboard the R/V Western Flyer.

It looks like a coral, but this organism is actually a white branching sponge.

January 27 Log
It looks like a coral, but this organism is actually a white branching sponge.

 

Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) leap above the ocean waves.

January 26 Log
Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) leap above the ocean waves.

Cruise participants deploy the acoustic Doppler current profiler (a type of current meter) from the aft deck of the research vessel Western Flyer.

January 26 Log
Cruise participants deploy the acoustic Doppler current profiler (a type of current meter) from the aft deck of the research vessel Western Flyer.

 

 

 

Launching ROV Tiburon on board the R/V Western Flyer.

Equipment
Launching ROV Tiburon on board the R/V Western Flyer.

Niskin bottles on the ROV Tiburon.

Equipment
Niskin bottles on the ROV Tiburon.

ROV Tiburon collecting a push core.

Equipment
ROV Tiburon collecting a push core.

The suction sampler (removed from ROV Tiburon) and its carousel of glass jars.

Equipment
The suction sampler (removed from ROV Tiburon) and its carousel of glass jars.

This is the acoustic Doppler velocimeter, or ADV.

Equipment
This is the acoustic Doppler velocimeter, or ADV.

The electromagnetic current meter.

Equipment
The electromagnetic current meter.

 

 

This image shows Davidson Seamount in relation to Monterey Bay and the California coast.

Collaboration
This image shows Davidson Seamount in relation to Monterey Bay and the California coast.

 

 

 

These are typical pillow lavas. They form near the outer edges of lava flows, creating narrow 'fingers' that crust over.

Geology
These are typical pillow lavas. They form near the outer edges of lava flows, creating narrow 'fingers' that crust over.

The manipulator arm of the remotely operated vehicle Tiburon collects a piece of basaltic (volcanic) lava.

Geology
The manipulator arm of the remotely operated vehicle Tiburon collects a piece of basaltic (volcanic) lava.

All the silt and slimy living stuff has been removed from this basalt (volcanic rock) sample from Davidson Seamount.

Geology
All the silt and slimy living stuff has been removed from this basalt (volcanic rock) sample from Davidson Seamount.

This image shows Davidson Seamount in relation to Monterey Bay and the California coast.

Geology
This image shows Davidson Seamount in relation to Monterey Bay and the California coast.

There's a rather impressive diversity of animals associated with this bamboo coral (Keratoisis sp.), discovered at 1,455 m depth at Davidson Seamount.

Coral Ageing
There's a rather impressive diversity of animals associated with this bamboo coral from Davidson Seamount.

Scientists used this cross section of bamboo coral, sampled from Davidson Seamount, for lead-210 dating.

Coral Ageing
Scientists used this cross section of bamboo coral, sampled from Davidson Seamount, for lead-210 dating.

This diagrammatic representation of the decay of lead-210 over time shows that the activity is reduced to half at about 22 years.

Coral Ageing
This diagrammatic representation of the decay of lead-210 over time shows that the activity is reduced to half at about 22 years.

 

A close-up of bubblegum coral (Paragorgia arborea) with small blue scale worms.

Coral Conservation
A close-up of bubblegum coral (Paragorgia arborea) with small blue scale worms.

Bubblegum corals (Paragorgia arborea) measuring 2.5 m (8 ft) in height were not uncommon at the crest of the Davidson Seamount at 1,257 m depth.

Coral Conservation
Bubblegum corals measuring 2.5 m in height were not uncommon at the crest of the Davidson Seamount.

A red vermillion crab (Paralomis verrilli) dangles from a yellow sponge, amidst a white sponge, white coral, shrimp, brittle stars, and an isopod on the Davidson Seamount

Coral Conservation
A red vermillion crab (Paralomis verrilli) dangles from a yellow sponge.

 

Davidson Seamount is located off the coast of central California in the United States.

Mission Plan
Davidson Seamount is located off the coast of central California in the United States.

This image shows the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Tiburon's tracklines, as well as coral locations, from the 2002 expedition to Davidson Seamount.

Mission Plan
This image shows the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Tiburon's tracklines, as well as coral locations, from the 2002 expedition to Davidson Seamount.

 

 

 

 

 

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