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Mission Plan

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Climate Change

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Deep Wrecks

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Reconnaissance

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Information

 

 

Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos regarding the Lophelia II Exploration(s) taking place this year from August 19 to September 12. 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. NOAA Podcast RSS 2.0 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

Watch a video showing the Ewing Banks wreck at 2,036 ft. deep.

camera icon Sept. 8 Log
Watch a video showing the Ewing Banks wreck at 2,0r36 ft. deep.

This video shows the wreck at 7,000 ft. deep.

camera icon Sept. 7 Log
This video shows the wreck at 7,000 ft. deep.

This video shows the Viosca Knoll wreck at 2,000 ft. deep.

camera icon Sept. 6 Log
This video shows the Viosca Knoll wreck at 2,000 ft. deep.

This video shows a small part of a large, newly discovered Lophelia reef structure.

camera icon Sept. 3 Log
This video shows a small part of a large, newly discovered Lophelia reef structure.

An area of black corals and anemones followed by a stand of lollipop sponges and a conger eel.

camera icon Sept. 3 Log
An area of black corals and anemones.

Sediment trap mooring deployed in Mississippi Canyon region

camera icon Sept. 2 Log
Sediment trap mooring deployed in Mississippi Canyon region.

Lophelia pertusa community in Garden Banks region in the Gulf of Mexico.

camera icon August 31 Log
Lophelia pertusa community in Garden Banks region in the Gulf of Mexico.

Madrepora oculata, another stony coral, provides habitat for other organisms.

camera icon August 31 Log
Madrepora oculata, another stony coral, provides habitat for other organisms

Iridogorgia octocoral from DeSoto Canyon, Jason dive No. 454.

camera icon August 28 Log
Iridogorgia octocoral from DeSoto Canyon, Jason dive No. 454.

Push core collected adjacent to a Madrepora colony.

camera icon August 26 Log
Push core collected adjacent to a Madrepora colony.

Rock outcrop at DeSoto Canyon 583 provides substrate for bamboo coral community.

camera icon August 25 Log
Rock outcrop at DeSoto Canyon 583 provides substrate for bamboo coral community.

A deep-sea shrimp (Bathypalaemonella.)

camera icon August 24 Log
A deep-sea shrimp Bathypalaemonella.

Ophiuriod brittle star, Asteroschema.

camera icon August 24 Log
This ophiuriod brittle star, Asteroschema.

Santiago Herrera narrates seafloor imagery of a Paragorgiid (Bubblegum Octocoral).

camera icon August 23 Log
Santiago Herrera narrates seafloor imagery of a Paragorgiid.

Graneledone octopus on the seafloor.

camera icon August 23 Log
Graneledone octopus on the seafloor.

 

Deepwater coral (Lophelia pertusa.)

camera icon August 21 Log
Deepwater coral (Lophelia pertusa.)

Squid predation by a galatheoid crab at VK906.

camera icon Reconnaissance
Squid predation by a galatheoid crab.

Squid predation by a galatheoid crab at VK906.

camera icon Reconnaissance
Antipatharian corals.

 

View a photo slideshow.

camera icon Logs Photos
View a slideshow of the photos with this exploration's new discoveries.

View a photo slideshow.

camera icon Logs Photos
View a slideshow of scientists in action.

View a photo slideshow.

camera icon Logs Photos
View a slideshow of photos including the technology used during this exploration.

 

 

 

Images

The deck railing of the Gulf Penn provides a perfect perch for the colonies of Lophelia growing abundantly along the shipwreck.

September 10 Log
The deck railing of the Gulf Penn provides a perfect perch for the colonies of Lophelia growing abundantly along the shipwreck.

 

 

 

Sunset set the tone for the start of the dive. Marathon oil platform is highlighted by the spectacular sky.

September 9 Log
Sunset set the tone for the start of the dive. Marathon oil platform is highlighted by the spectacular sky. (HR)

The decision had to be made early in the dive whether or not to deploy the ‘Elevator.’

September 9 Log
The decision had to be made early in the dive whether or not to deploy the ‘Elevator.’ (HR)

Callogorgia is growing around the wreck.

September 9 Log
Callogorgia is growing around the wreck. (HR)

Paramuricea is located along the edge of the hull.

September 9 Log
Paramuricea is located along the edge of the hull. (HR)

Spiney Crabs crawled all over the wrecksite.

September 9 Log
Spiney Crabs crawled all over the wrecksite. (HR)

The bobstay fasteners are attached with modern hex nuts.

September 9 Log
The bobstay fasteners are attached with modern hex nuts. (HR)

The patent windlass has rolled over the port side of the hull, possibly with the dismasting.

September 9 Log
The patent windlass has rolled over the port side of the hull, possibly with the dismasting. (HR)

Like the 7000ft wreck the knees to the windlass are still intact yet upside down.

September 9 Log
Like the 7,000ft wreck the knees to the windlass are still intact yet upside down. (HR)

Another pagoda micro-biological experiment was set on the wreck along with the short term exposure experiment.

September 9 Log
Another pagoda micro-biological experiment was set on the wreck along with the short term exposure experiment. (HR)

The rudder is still intact and the attachment to the sternpost is visible.

September 9 Log
The rudder is still intact and the attachment to the sternpost is visible. (HR)

The bell lay nestled in among the remains of two deck beams.

September 9 Log
The bell lay nestled in among the remains of two deck beams. (HR)

The starboard sidelight, for which the shipwreck is named lay outside the hull in the stern.

September 9 Log
The starboard sidelight, for which the shipwreck is named lay outside the hull in the stern. (HR)

Matt lifting the bell from the storage box while everyone looked for a name.

September 9 Log
Matt lifting the bell from the storage box while everyone looked for a name. (HR)

The lantern rode to the surface in the bucket chimney down.

September 9 Log
The lantern rode to the surface in the bucket chimney down. (HR)

 

 

 

 

Lara Miles of TDI Brooks logging the daily mountain of data collection from the expedition.

September 8 Log
Lara Miles of TDI Brooks logging the daily mountain of data collection from the expedition. (HR)

Watching the work underwater from the lab on the big screen.

September 8 Log
Watching the work underwater from the lab on the big screen. (HR)

A huge colony of Lophelia lives on the stempost.

September 8 Log
A huge colony of Lophelia lives on the stempost. (HR)

The snapped pintle on the sternpost appears to be of interest to more than just humans.

September 8 Log
The snapped pintle on the sternpost appears to be of interest to more than just humans. (HR)

Looking back from the stempost the runs of copper are clearly visible.

September 8 Log
Looking back from the stempost the runs of copper are clearly visible. (HR)

With the ceiling planking eaten away the framing and hull curvature are clearly defined in the bow.

September 8 Log
With the ceiling planking eaten away the framing and hull curvature are clearly defined in the bow. (HR)

The magnificent rusticle hung off the stempost waiting for us to sample.

September 8 Log
The magnificent rusticle hung off the stempost waiting for us to sample. (HR)

We recovered a bowl or large cup fragment from the concentration of ceramics in the stern.

September 8 Log
We recovered a bowl or large cup fragment from the concentration of ceramics in the stern. (HR)

The stem and beak of the 7000 ft shipwreck.

September 7 Log
The stem and beak of the 7000 ft shipwreck. (HR)

Jason II on the deck of the Ron Brown.

September 7 Log
A close up of the wale and hawsehole at the top of the stem. (HR)

Jason surfaces carrying samples and artifacts.

September 7 Log
Jason surfaces carrying samples and artifacts. (HR)

Jake Schidner of West Florida University gingerly retrieves the compass.

September 7 Log
Jake Schidner of West Florida University gingerly retrieves the compass. (HR)

The card of the compass is still intact revealing the manufacturer and date of the compass patent.

September 7 Log
The card of the compass is still intact revealing the manufacturer and date of the compass patent. (HR)

Copper from the transom will help define the age of the vessel.

September 7 Log
Copper from the transom will help define the age of the vessel. (HR)

 

 

 

 

Jason II on the deck of the Ron Brown.

September 6 Log
Jason II on the deck of the Ron Brown. (HR)

Jason Expedition Leader, Matt Heintz with Medea in the background.

September 6 Log
Jason Expedition Leader, Matt Heintz with Medea in the background. (HR)

The Virtual Van houses Jason’s pilots, navigator, engineer and the science team.

September 6 Log
The Virtual Van houses Jason’s pilots, navigator, engineer and the science team. (HR)

A close up of Jason’s machinery.

September 6 Log
A close up of Jason’s machinery. (HR)

Sampling trays hold bio boxes and quivers.

September 6 Log
Sampling trays hold bio boxes and quivers. (HR)

Dr. Erik Cordes, Chief Scientist for the expedition giving the evening science brief.

September 6 Log
Dr. Erik Cordes, Chief Scientist for the expedition giving the evening science brief. (HR)

The stempost of the wreck is covered in Lophelia, Stalk Barnacles, Acesta clams and Anemones.

September 6 Log
The stempost of the wreck is covered in Lophelia, Stalk Barnacles, Acesta clams and Anemones. (HR)

The stonware jar water filter.

September 6 Log
The stonware jar water filter. (HR)

Acadiana cruising down the Mississippi channel.

September 5 Log
Acadiana cruising down the Mississippi channel. (HR)

Dr. Harry Roberts, Geologist at Louisiana State University

September 5 Log
Dr. Harry Roberts, Geologist at Louisiana State University. (HR)

Pilot Town located at the confluence of the three channels in the Belize or Bird Foot Delta.

September 5 Log
Pilot Town located at the confluence of the three channels in the Belize or Bird Foot Delta. (HR)

South Pass Light built in the late 1800s at the mouth of the Mississippi is now about a quarter mile up river.

September 5 Log
South Pass Light built in the late 1800s at the mouth of the Mississippi is now about a quarter mile up river. (HR)

Before Hurricane Katrina a mile long beach existed.

September 5 Log
Before Hurricane Katrina a mile long beach existed at the mouth of South Pass. Today the beach is gone. (HR)

After a six-hour cruise the Acadiana and new crew coming up alongside the NOAA research vessel, Ronald H. Brown.

September 5 Log
After a six-hour cruise the Acadiana and new crew coming up alongside the NOAA research vessel, Ronald H. Brown. (HR)

 

 

 

 

Latest deep-sea camera system uses a Canon SLR with LED flood lamps in a hand-held mounting. The housing is titanium with a domed optical port.

September 4 Log
Latest deep-sea camera system uses a Canon SLR with LED flood lamps in a "hand-held" mounting. The housing is titanium with a domed optical port.

This segment of a much larger image shows the eight tentacles that are diagnostic of an octocoral. The tiny polyps are often damaged during collection.

September 4 Log
This segment of a much larger image shows the eight tentacles that are diagnostic of an octocoral. The tiny polyps are often damaged during collection. (HR)

Macro image made with 60 mm lens showing sea fans with brittle stars.

September 4 Log
Macro image made with 60 mm lens showing sea fans with brittle stars. Data for original 4752x3168 image: Exposure time 1/5, F-stop 9.0, ISO speed 200. (HR)

Wide-angle image made with 20 mm lens showing anemones on Lophelia conglomerate.

September 4 Log
Wide-angle image made with 20 mm lens showing anemones on Lophelia conglomerate. Data for original 4752x3168 image: Exposure time 1/5, F-stop 11.0, ISO speed 200. (HR)

Newly discovered Lophelia pertusa reef.

September 3 Log
Newly discovered Lophelia pertusa reef. (HR)

Hyperoglyphe perciformis (barrel fish) in Lophelia reef habitat.

September 3 Log
Hyperoglyphe perciformis (barrel fish) in Lophelia reef habitat. (HR)

Lophelia pertusa, black coral (right.)

September 3 Log
Lophelia pertusa, black coral (right.) (HR)

 

 

Sediment and larvae collection bottles on rotating stage at base of trap.

September 2 Log
Sediment and larvae collection bottles on rotating stage at base of trap. (HR)

Chris German watching the deployment of the sediment trap mooring.

September 2 Log
Chris German watching the deployment of the sediment trap mooring. (HR)

Crew of the RV Ron Brown deploying sediment trap.

September 2 Log
Crew of the RV Ron Brown deploying sediment trap. (HR)

Crew of the RV Ron Brown deploying floats on sediment trap mooring.

September 2 Log
Crew of the RV Ron Brown deploying floats on sediment trap mooring. (HR)

Lophelia pertusa on the seafloor.

September 1 Log
Lophelia pertusa on the seafloor. (HR)

Jay Lunden gets help from Lara Miles in collecting water samples.

September 1 Log
Jay Lunden gets help from Lara Miles in collecting water samples. (HR)

Testing alkalinity in a seawater sample.

September 1 Log
Testing alkalinity in a seawater sample. (HR)

CTD rosette on deck ready for deployment.

September 1 Log
CTD rosette on deck ready for deployment. (HR)

Fragments of coral skeletons.

September 1 Log
Fragments of coral skeletons (Lophelia pertusa) from a coral pot collection. (HR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOAA Ship Tracker.

August 31 Log
NOAA Ship Tracker site provides current locations on all of NOAA's ships.

Basket stars, crinoids.

August 31 Log
Basket stars, crinoids, anemone and crab on rock outcropping in Atwater Valley region in the Gulf of Mexico. (HR)

Callogorgia sp. octocoral with brittlestar (left) and purple soft corals.

August 31 Log
Callogorgia sp. octocoral with brittlestar (left) and purple soft corals (right) from Green Canyon region in the Gulf of Mexico. (HR)

Video monitors inside the Jason Control Van.

August 31 Log
Video monitors inside the Jason Control Van allow scientists and Jason crew to see all seafloor operations.

Chief scientist, Chuck Fisher, explains the next dive location.

August 31 Log
Chief scientist, Chuck Fisher, explains the next dive location and dive plan during the daily science meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liz Podowski demonstrates how MatLab works to create photomosaics.

August 30 Log
Liz Podowski demonstrates how MatLab works to create photomosaics. (HR)

Madrepora on right, with Paramuricea gorgonian, and Asteroschema ophiuroids on left.

August 30 Log
Madrepora on right, with Paramuricea gorgonian, and Asteroschema ophiuroids on left. (HR)

Madrepora oculata (close-up) showing calyx structure.

August 30 Log
Madrepora oculata (close-up) showing calyx structure. (HR)

Photomosaic of Madrepora reef.

August 30 Log
Photomosaic of Madrepora reef with surrounding clamshell debris. (HR)

Callogorgia sp. octocorals from 300 meters in the Green Canyon region in the Gulf of Mexico.

August 28 Log
Callogorgia sp. octocorals from 300 meters in the Green Canyon region in the Gulf of Mexico. (HR)

Dr. Peter Etnoyer explains sampling techniques for deep-sea octocoral specimens.

August 28 Log
Dr. Peter Etnoyer explains sampling techniques for deep-sea octocoral specimens. (HR)

Map of octocorals collected in the Gulf of Mexico since the 19th century.

August 28 Log
Map of octocorals collected in the Gulf of Mexico since the 19th century. (HR)

This is a collection of sclerites from the octocoral Callogorgia.

August 28 Log
This is a collection of sclerites from the octocoral Callogorgia. (HR)

NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown at sunrise in the Gulf of Mexico.

August 27 Log
NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown at sunrise in the Gulf of Mexico. (HR)

Operations Officer Lieutenant Nicole Manning confers with chief scientist Chuck Fisher about the next day’s dive plan.

August 27 Log
Operations Officer Lieutenant Nicole Manning confers with chief scientist Chuck Fisher about the next day’s dive plan. (HR)

Seamen Frank Footman and Roberto Mendez (left to right) painting the deck to help keep the Ron Brown in top condition.

August 27 Log
Seamen Frank Footman and Roberto Mendez (left to right) painting the deck to help keep the Ron Brown in top condition. (HR)

Crew members of the NOAA Ronald H. Brown work together to recover Medea.

August 27 Log
Crew members of the NOAA Ronald H. Brown work together to recover Medea. (HR)

Gordon Gardipe, 2nd Assistant Engineer, fabricates a handrail on the 02 forward deck.

August 27 Log
Gordon Gardipe, 2nd Assistant Engineer, fabricates a handrail on the 02 forward deck. (HR)

Officer John Rossi on the bridge piloting the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown.

August 27 Log
Officer John Rossi on the bridge piloting the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown. (HR)

Morning small boat operations.

August 27 Log
Morning small boat operations. (HR)

 

 

This push core shows discrete layers in a typical sediment sample.

August 26 Log
This push core shows discrete layers in a typical sediment sample. (HR)

Top sediment layer (1 cm) sliced from rest of core.

August 26 Log
Top sediment layer (1 cm) sliced from rest of core. (HR)

Sieved sample from a core slice.

August 26 Log
Sieved sample from a core slice. (HR)

Amanda sorts and identifies the animals in the sieved sample.

August 26 Log
Amanda sorts and identifies the animals in the sieved sample. (HR)

The disc of this tiny brittlestar is 5 mm in diameter.

August 26 Log
The disc of this tiny brittlestar is 5 mm in diameter. (HR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Shedd examines a sample of authigenic carbonate collected at AT47.

August 25 Log
Bill Shedd examines a sample of authigenic carbonate collected at AT47. (HR)

Lophelia pertusa coral, with opened polyps, attached to an authigenic carbonate rock.

August 25 Log
Lophelia pertusa coral, with opened polyps, attached to an authigenic carbonate rock.(HR)

Amplitude map with bathymetry overlay, used to pick sites for this project.

August 25 Log
Amplitude map with bathymetry overlay, used to pick sites for this project.

 

 

Collected brittle star, Asteroschema.

August 24 Log
Collected brittle star, Asteroschema. (HR)

Collected deep-sea shrimp (Bathypalaemonella) with soft coral (Chrysogorgia).

August 24 Log
Collected deep-sea shrimp (Bathypalaemonella) with soft coral (Chrysogorgia). (HR)

Dr. Tim Shank discusses a seafloor specimen with other members of the science party.

August 24 Log
Dr. Tim Shank discusses a seafloor specimen with other members of the science party. (HR)

 

 

Santiago Herrera photographs a coral specimen.

August 23 Log
Santiago Herrera photographs a coral specimen. (HR)

Andrea Quattrini takes a tissue sample of a bamboo coral for genetic analysis.

August 23 Log
Andrea Quattrini takes a tissue sample of a bamboo coral for genetic analysis. (HR)

Preserved specimens collected on Dive 1.

August 23 Log
Preserved specimens collected on Dive 1. (HR)

 

 

Dr. Cheryl Morrison and other members of the science party watch the seafloor imagery.

August 21 Log
Dr. Cheryl Morrison and other members of the science party watch the seafloor imagery. (HR)

Close-up of Lophelia pertusa calyx with polyp retracted.

August 21 Log
Close-up of Lophelia pertusa calyx with polyp retracted. (HR)

Black coral (Leiopathes sp.).

August 21 Log
Black coral (Leiopathes sp.). (HR)

Black coral (Leiopathes sp.) polyp.

August 21 Log
Black coral (Leiopathes sp.) polyp. Note mouth and six tentacles.(HR)

NOAA ship Ron Brown, in port, Key West FL.

August 20 Log
NOAA ship Ron Brown, in port, Key West FL. (HR)

The Jason II ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle).

August 20 Log
The Jason II ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle). (HR)

Erik Cordes, Chuck Fisher and Bill Shedd (left to right).

August 20 Log
Erik Cordes, Chuck Fisher and Bill Shedd (left to right). (HR)

 

 

Polyps of Lophelia pertusa extend from the corallites in order to feed.

Climate Change
Polyps of Lophelia pertusa extend from the corallites in order to feed. (HR)

Top-down view of Lophelia pertusa colonies at Viosca Knoll 826.

Climate Change
Top-down view of Lophelia pertusa colonies at Viosca Knoll 826. (HR)

Shoaling of the aragonite saturation horizon.

Climate Change
Shoaling of the aragonite saturation horizon. (HR)

 

 

Viosca Knoll Wreck site drawing draped over the multibeam bathymetry image.

Deep Wrecks
Viosca Knoll Wreck site drawing draped over the multibeam bathymetry image. (HR)

Photo mosaic of the 7,000-ft. Wreck.

Deep Wrecks
Photo mosaic of the 7,000-ft. Wreck. (HR)

The ship’s starboard lantern at the Green Lantern Wreck Site is found lying among other artifact scatter.

Deep Wrecks
The ship’s starboard lantern at the Green Lantern Wreck Site is found lying among other artifact scatter. (HR)

Wall of coral.

Deep Wrecks
Wall of coral.(HR)

Researchers conducted reconnaissance aboard NOAA’s RV Nancy Foster in 2008.

Reconnaissance
Researchers conducted reconnaissance aboard NOAA’s RV Nancy Foster in 2008. (HR)

The galatheoid crab Eumunida picta catches and consumes a squid.

Reconnaissance
The galatheoid crab Eumunida picta catches and consumes a squid. " (HR)

High-resolution bathymetry of Viosca Knoll.

Reconnaissance
High-resolution bathymetry of Viosca Knoll. (HR)

Atlantic roughy Hoplostethus occidentalis at the base of a large Leiopathes glabberima black coral colony.

Reconnaissance
Atlantic roughy Hoplostethus occidentalis at the base of a large Leiopathes glabberima black coral colony. (HR)

The proposed cruise track for the 25 days we will be at sea.

Mission Plan
The proposed cruise track for the 25 days we will be at sea. (HR)

The ROV Jason II on the back deck of the NOAA Ship Ron Brown.

Mission Plan
The ROV Jason II on the back deck of the NOAA Ship Ron Brown. (HR)

Coral and cold seep habitats intersect.

Mission Plan
Coral and cold seep habitats intersect. (HR)

An example of the Viosca Knoll 906 habitat.

Mission Plan
An example of the Viosca Knoll 906 habitat. (HR)

 

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