Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands

Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands

Image and Video Gallery

This page contains photos and videos associated with the Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands expedition. Click on any image or video to view a larger version and for additional information.

This dumbo octopus was filmed at a depth of 900 meters (2,950 feet) using the <em>Global Explorer</em> remotely operated vehicle.

This dumbo octopus was filmed at a depth of 900 meters using the Global Explorer remotely operated vehicle.

The cold waters of the Chukchi Borderlands are full of life, from sea angels (Clione) dancing in the water column to sea spiders crawling along the bottom.

Denizens of the Arctic Deep

The cold waters of the Chukchi Borderlands are full of life.

This map displays all 13 stations visited and sampled in the Chukchi Borderlands during The Hidden Ocean 2016 expedition. (Image)

Map showing all 13 stations visited and sampled in the Chukchi Borderlands during the expedition.

The USCGC <em>Healy</em> sits close to an ice floe at Station 7 while members of the media team take video and photos.

The USCGC Healy sits close to an ice floe while team members take imagery.

A curious juvenile walrus checks out the ship during an ROV dive.

Juvenile Walrus

A curious juvenile walrus checks out the ship during a remotely operated vehicle dive.

Scientists identify water column species seen while exploring

Scientists identify water column species seen while exploring using the ROV.

An anemone sampled during an ROV dives anchors itself to a shell.

An anemone sampled during an ROV dives anchors itself to a shell.

The snailfish is a common benthic fish species found in the Chukchi Borderlands.

The snailfish is a common benthic fish species found in the Chukchi Borderlands.

Snow in July was a novel experience for many members

Snow in July was a novel experience for many expedition team members.

Seeing the Arctic fogbow is a unique experience that adds even more beauty to an already wondrous ecosystem.

Seeing the Arctic "fogbow" is a unique experience adding even more beauty.

Expedition Team

A group of 141 scientists and Coast Guard crew completed a successful expedition.

Dr. Russ Hopcroft

Dr. Russ Hopcroft gives a presentation that summarizes the successes of the cruise.

Teamwork was the foundation of this expedition. No matter which scientific field each person studied, everyone was happy to help with all of the science operations, like sifting through the muddy box core samples.

Teamwork was the foundation of this expedition, with everyone helping out.

This Arctic skate was one of the many exciting organisms seen during the expedition.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy sits alongside an ice floe to allow science operations to occur.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy sits alongside an ice floe during science operations.

CDR William Woityra and CAPT Jason Hamilton proudly display the Planet from The Infinity Project, mentioned in the Unique Recognition for a Unique Expedition log.

USCG crew members display the Planet from The Infinity Project.

Science operations, such as collecting ice samples, could not occur without the efforts of the USCGC Healy.

Science operations could not occur without the efforts of the USCGC Healy.

Kyle Dilliplaine and Eric Collins demonstrate their research on fluorescence and microbes to Sandra Thornton.

Kyle Dilliplaine and Eric Collins demonstrate their research to Sandra Thornton.

The smallest animals in the Arctic are key in this intricate food web. Learn how scientists study these microscopic creatures in this video on Arctic zooplankton.

Collecting Arctic Plankton

Learn how scientists study the smallest animals in the Arctic.

This mosaic of images from the VPR shows a variety of organisms imaged by the instrument, all to scale, during this expedition.

Organism Mosaic

Mosaic of images from the VPR shows a variety of organisms imaged by the instrument, all to scale.

Jessica Pretty and Dr. Dhugal Lindsay sit with the VPR, which is a large and heavy instrument that gets attached to the CTD rosette.

Jessica Pretty and Dr. Dhugal Lindsay sit with the VPR instrument that gets attached to the CTD rosette.

While not taken during this expedition, this image of a jellyfish taken by the UVP shows the level of detail that the instrument can capture, such as the inner structure of this jellyfish.

This image of a jellyfish taken by the UVP shows the level of detail that the instrument can capture.

Mathew Broughton, cinematographer for Microcosm, takes footage of Dr. Dhugal Lindsay examining a jar of plankton collected from the plankton net.

Mathew Broughton, cinematographer for Microcosm, takes footage of Dr. Dhugal Lindsay examining a jar of plankton.

Michael Aw and Stuart Ireland from Ocean Geographic interview student Yui Takagi for their documentary.

Michael Aw and Stuart Ireland from Ocean Geographic interview student Yui Takagi for their documentary.

The Microcosm team (Mathew Broughton, Michele Hoffman Trotter, and Michael Caplan) take a photo with Dr. Jeff Welker after an interview on the Healy's bow.

Microcosm Team

The Microcosm team (Mathew Broughton, Michele Hoffman Trotter, and Michael Caplan) take a photo with Dr. Jeff Welker after an interview on the Healy's bow.

Stuart Ireland, cinematographer with Ocean Geographic, documents our departure from Seward, Alaska.

Stuart Ireland, cinematographer with Ocean Geographic, documents our departure from Seward, Alaska.

Jellyfish and ctenophores in the Arctic, and around the world, come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Jellies of the Arctic

Jellyfish and ctenophores in the Arctic come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Heidi Mendoza-Islas checks out a jellyfish that was collected by the ROV.

Heidi Mendoza-Islas checks out a jellyfish that was collected by the ROV.

This jellyfish is Benthocodon hyalinus and is found in the water column throughout the Pacific Ocean, from the Arctic Ocean to Antarctica. This specimen was collected by the Global Explorer ROV.

This jellyfish is found in the water column throughout the Pacific Ocean.

The Beroe abyssicola is a species of comb jelly that the Global Explorer ROV collected during the expedition.

This comb jelly was collected by the Global Explorer ROV during the expedition.

Heidi Mendoza-Islas and Atsushi Yamaguchi, from Hokkaido University, filter seawater collected from the CTD.

Filtering Seawater

Heidi Mendoza-Islas and Atsushi Yamaguchi, filter seawater collected from the CTD.

Brian Ulaski holds up a water sample from the CTD that he will filter for microbes.

Brian Ulaski holds up a water sample from the CTD that he will filter for microbes.

Seawater collected from a CTD-cast is pumped through 0.22µm pore-sized filters to concentrate microbial cells in this filtration station.

Filtration Station

Seawater collected from a CTD-cast is pumped through filters to concentrate microbial cells.

This Sterivex filter is catching the viruses that can be found in the seawater from the CTD-cast.

Sterivex Filter

This Sterivex filter catches viruses found in seawater from the CTD-cast.

An 18S ribosomal RNA gene alignment derived from an Arctic seawater sample. Each row denotes a separate sequence barcode.

An 18S ribosomal RNA gene alignment derived from an Arctic seawater sample.

Lauren Sutton and Irina Zhulay hold a large anemone that was collected by the ROV.

Lauren Sutton and Irina Zhulay hold a large anemone that was collected by the ROV.

Members of the science team sort through rocks and mud to look for animals from the trawl.

Sorting Samples

Members of the science team sort through rocks and mud to look for animals from the trawl.

The Global Explorer ROV captures footage of a barnacle projecting its limbs to filter food from the water column.

A barnacle projects its limbs to filter food from the water column.

During a dive, the Global Explorer ROV imaged this pycnogonid, also called a sea spider, though they are not true spiders.

The Global Explorer ROV imaged this pycnogonid, also called a "sea spider."

The box core gives scientists a closer look at what is living in the Chukchi Borderlands sediment.

The Mud Maidens' Box Core

The box core gives scientists a closer look at what lives in the Chukchi Borderlands sediment.

The box corer returns from the bottom of the ocean with a sample of the muddy seafloor.

The box corer returns from the bottom of the ocean with a sample of the muddy seafloor.

Angie Gastaldi measures and separates the different layers of the box core’s sample to prepare for sieving.

Angie Gastaldi measures and separates the different layers of the box core’s sample to prepare for sieving.

Leah Sloan sieves through the muddy box core sample, separating the sediment from the animals.

Leah Sloan sieves through the muddy box core sample, separating the sediment from the animals.

This polychaete worm from the family Lumbrineridae is an example of the infauna that can be found in the muddy sediment of the Chukchi Borderlands.

Polychaete Worm

This polychaete worm is an example of the infauna that can be found in Arctic muddy sediment.

The 24-hour sunlight of the Arctic summer means that work can happen at any time. However, beautiful views like this, which was taken during remotely operated vehicle operations at midnight, remind us that life on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy is a special experience.

The 24-hour sunlight of the Arctic summer means that work can happen at any time.

After working on her instrument on the CTD, Jessica Pretty enjoys doing yoga to wind down.

After working on her instrument on the CTD, Jessica Pretty enjoys doing yoga to wind down.

The staterooms on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy are quite spacious with enough storage for all three occupants in each room.

The staterooms on the Healy are quite spacious with plenty of storage.

The helicopter hangar is used as a space for activities such as Crossfit, yoga, and morale events.

Helicopter Hangar

The helicopter hangar is used as a space for activities such as Crossfit, yoga, and morale events.

The Coast Guard is responsible for safely deploying and recovering all of the scientific instruments, including the remotely operated vehicle, needed to collect data from the Arctic.

The Coast Guard is responsible for deploying and recovering all scientific instruments, including the ROV.

Kenny Cook brings some fun to the deck while still making sure all operations are done safely.

Kenny Cook brings some fun to the deck while still making sure all operations are done safely.

The Coast Guard often launches small boats for both science and safety operations.

The Coast Guard often launches small boats for both science and safety operations.

The trawl is important to determine what species of benthic invertebrates and fishes are in an area. The science team sorts through the organisms, mud, and rocks brought up by the trawl, finding different animals, like this sea star.

Sorting Animals

The science team sorts through the organisms, mud, and rocks brought up by the trawl, finding different animals.

The trawl spreads out behind the ship, complete with orange floats that help to target a certain depth.

The trawl spreads out behind the ship, complete with orange floats that help to target a certain depth.

Kelly Walker prepares the trawl for deployment from the Healy’s aft deck.

Kelly Walker prepares the trawl for deployment from the Healy's aft deck.

Kelly Walker is able to estimate the length of a fish by measuring the total length of a whole otolith. She can also estimate the age of a fish by transversely sectioning a whole otolith and counting the growth rings.

Kelly Walker is able to estimate the length of a fish by measuring the total length of a whole otolith.

Sarah Kaye works on a satellite dish inside a dome on the top deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy. One of the most prevalent challenges of getting an Internet signal in the Arctic is overcoming atmospheric conditions, such as fog.

Satellite Dome Work

Sarah Kaye works on a satellite dish inside a dome on the top deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy.

Sarah Kaye stands in front of the system that provides Internet for the entire ship.

Internet System

Sarah Kaye stands in front of the system that provides Internet for the entire ship.

Inside one of the domes on the top deck is a satellite dish aimed at a satellite just above the horizon.

Inside one of the domes on the top deck is a satellite dish aimed at a satellite just above the horizon.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard prepare the CTD for launch.

The CTD is a vital instrument when conducting scientific research on ships.

Scientific trawling enables scientists to collect benthic organisms to analyze abundance and diversity.

Trawling for Arctic Research

Scientific trawling enables scientists to collect benthic organisms to analyze abundance and diversity.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard prepare the CTD for launch.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard prepare the CTD for launch.

Peter Shipton collects water samples from the niskin bottles on the CTD. All 20 niskin bottles take water samples from various depths, starting near the seafloor and ending close to the surface.

Peter Shipton collects water samples from the niskin bottles on the CTD.

This screenshot of data from a CTD cast shows the different water layers in the Arctic as well as the chlorophyll max where most of the phytoplankton live in the water column.

This screenshot of data from a CTD cast shows the different water layers in the Arctic.

The two copepod species Calanus hyperboreus and Calanus glacialis prepare for the winter by storing lipids, as seen in the photos.

The two copepod species prepare for the winter by storing lipids, as seen in the photos.

The Clione is a small gastropod that, along with the copepods, is also a member of the zooplankton community. This individual was brought up in the plankton nets during this expedition.

The Clione is a small gastropod that is also a member of the zooplankton community.

This jar of plankton and sea water was collected by the plankton net. The red copepods are apparent under the light.

Jar of Plankton

This jar of plankton and seawater was collected by the plankton net. The red copepods are apparent under the light.

Caitlin Smoot and Dr. Jennifer Questel hose down the plankton net after a successful deployment and recovery.

Hosing Down the Net

Caitlin Smoot and Jennifer Questel hose down the plankton net after deployment and recovery.

This screenshot of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy’s multibeam software shows the main challenge of mapping in the Arctic. While the ship is at a science station, the mapping is clear, but the map is broken up when the ship is breaking ice.

Multibeam Challenges

While the ship is at a science station, the mapping is clear, but the map is broken up when the ship is breaking ice.

Croy Carlin sits in front of the many monitors and systems he manages, including the multibeam.

Croy Carlin sits in front of the many monitors and systems he manages, including the multibeam.

This is an example of a great multibeam pass over one of our pockmark stations. Pockmarks are craters on the ocean floor created by fluids erupting through the sediment.

This is an example of a great multibeam pass over one of our pockmark stations.

A polar bear stands on its hind legs to get a better look at the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy.

A polar bear stands on its hind legs to get a better look at the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy.

Jennifer Stern and Erica Escajeda study polar bears and both have now seen their study animal in the Arctic.

Jennifer and Erica

Jennifer Stern and Erica Escajeda study polar bears and both have now seen their study animal in the Arctic.

This polar bear was pounding on a seal den, hoping to find food in the open Arctic landscape.

Polar Bear and Den

This polar bear was pounding on a seal den, hoping to find food in the open Arctic landscape.

Approaching from a distance, this polar bear attempted to ambush a pair of ribbon seals, which quickly slipped into the water when the bear got too close.

Polar Bear and Seals

This polar bear attempted to ambush a pair of ribbon seals, which quickly slipped into the water.

Isotopes are everywhere and can help scientists map intricate food webs. It is essential that the Arctic food web is better understood as the climate continues to change.

Arctic Landscape

Isotopes are everywhere and can help scientists map intricate food webs.

Jeff Welker and Eric Klein look at a spectrometer (endearingly called Pippin) that is measuring the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic values of water vapor through a pipe system that leads to the upper bow of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy.

Pippin Spectrometer

Jeff Welker and Eric Klein look at a spectrometer that is measuring the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic values of water vapor.

This spectrometer system, called “Gandalf,” measures isotopic values in seawater that is continuously being pumped through the system.

Gandalf Spectrometer

This spectrometer system measures isotopic values in seawater that is continuously being pumped through the system.

This data, taken continuously every second, shows a methane spike that suggests methane might accumulate under the sea ice.

This data shows a methane spike that suggests methane might accumulate under the sea ice.

A Laysan albatross soars over the top of the water, showing off a wingspan that can measure up to 203 centimeters (80 inches).

Laysan Albatross

A Laysan albatross soars over the top of the water, showing off its wingspan.

Elizabeth Labunski notes the behavior of a black guillemot at one of our science stations in the Chukchi Borderlands.

Elizabeth Labunski notes the behavior of a black guillemot at one of our science stations.

The tufted puffin is known for its bright yellow tufts of feathers that both sexes have during the summer breeding season.

The tufted puffin is known for its bright yellow tufts of feathers that both sexes have during the summer.

This black guillemot, a truly Arctic bird, was seen at our northern-most science station, around 77 degrees North.

Black Guillemot

This black guillemot was seen at our northern-most science station, around 77 degrees North.

Dr. Eric Collins discusses the process of taking ice core samples and studying the microbes within the dramatic and unique Arctic ice floe ecosystem.

Coring Arctic Microbes

Dr. Eric Collins discusses the process of taking ice core samples to study Arctic microbes.

The ice team, consisting of Dr. Eric Collins, Kyle Dilliplaine, and Brian Ulaski, is lowered in a man basket to the ice below from the deck of the Healy.

The ice team is lowered in a man basket to the ice below from the deck of the Healy.

Cartoon depiction of the brine channel system (BCS) occupied by sympagic algae and meiofauna.

Brine Channel System

Cartoon depiction of the brine channel system occupied by sympagic algae and meiofauna.

Dr. Eric Collins handles the corer with Kyle Dilliplaine and Brian Ulaski. The collected ice cores can be seen in the plastic tubing at the bottom of the frame.

Dr. Eric Collins handles the corer with Kyle Dilliplaine and Brian Ulaski.

Monochromatic light micrograph of an unidentified flatworm, a member of the meiofauna, collected from the bottom three centimeters of a multi-year ice floe.

Monochromatic light micrograph of an unidentified flatworm collected from the bottom of an ice floe.

This Aulacoctena is a species of comb jelly that was imaged by the ROV Global Explorer and is about the size of an orange. Unlike jellyfish, comb jellies do not have stinging cells.

This Aulacoctena is a species of comb jelly that was imaged by the ROV Global Explorer.

Besides the ROV, the other four significant instruments used to collect scientific data on this expedition are (in order) the CTD, box core, trawl, and multinet.

Scientific Instruments

Four significant instruments used to collect scientific data are the CTD, box core, trawl, and multinet.

Lauren Sutton displays a bucket of mud from the trawl that contains various organisms, including sea stars and mollusks.

Lauren Sutton displays a bucket of mud from the trawl that contains various organisms, including sea stars and mollusks.

A night vision camera in the ROV control van captures the excited faces of Joe Caba, Dr. Katrin Iken, Lauren Sutton, and Kelly Walker as they watch the live camera feed from the ROV Global Explorer as it explores the Arctic seafloor.

In the ROV Control Van

A night vision camera in the ROV control van captures excited faces while watching video from the Global Explorer.

See a timelapse of the Healy breaking through the ice floe and hear the rumbling sounds as steel meets ice.

Sights and Sounds of Icebreaking

Timelapse of the Healy breaking through the ice floe.

The thick fogs masks the vastness of the ice floe, making it difficult to navigate.

The thick fogs masks the vastness of the ice floe, making it difficult to navigate.

This graph shows the overall trend of decreasing Arctic sea ice over the past 30 years.

Artic Ice Cover

This graph shows the overall trend of decreasing Arctic sea ice over the past 30 years.

This satellite image shows the path that the USCGC Healy carved through the ice floe. While the GPS image showed our heading going north, the ice floe continued to spin without our knowing, keeping us within its icy grasp.

Path Through the Ice

This satellite image shows the path that the USCGC Healy carved through the ice floe.

The thickness of the ice is apparent as the Healy continues to try to plow through the large floe.

The thickness of the ice is apparent as the Healy continues to try to plow through the large floe.

Kate Stafford surveys the surrounding Arctic waters from the bridge of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy.

Kate Stafford surveys the surrounding Arctic waters from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy.

A young humpback whale shows off its breaching during our transit north.

A young humpback whale shows off its breaching during our transit north.

A beautiful ribbon seal rests on an ice floe.

A beautiful ribbon seal rests on an ice floe.

A large herd of walrus use floating ice to haul out after swimming in Arctic waters.

A large herd of walrus use floating ice to haul out after swimming in Arctic waters.

This curious polar bear checked out the ship while we were stationary.

This curious polar bear checked out the ship while we were stationary.

Welcome to the Arctic video! Some initial impressions on crossing into the Arctic Circle.

Welcome to the Arctic

Some initial impressions on crossing into the Arctic Circle.

The beautifully dramatic Arctic landscape spans across the horizon.

Arctic Landscape

The beautifully dramatic Arctic landscape spans across the horizon.

The box core instrument successfully brings up muddy sediment from the ocean bottom.

The box core instrument successfully brings up muddy sediment from the ocean bottom.

Benthos scientist Katrin Iken holds a couple of small bivalves collected from the box core.

Bivalve Samples

Benthos scientist Katrin Iken holds a couple of small bivalves collected from the box core.

A polar bear effortlessly crosses the ice in its Arctic home.

A polar bear effortlessly crosses the ice in its Arctic home.

An interview with Joe Caba, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) supervisor on the Arctic cruise.

Joe Caba, ROV Supervisor

An interview with Joe Caba, the ROV supervisor on the Arctic cruise.

The ROV Global Explorer is lifted off a truck and put on the USCGC Healy in this time-lapse video.

ROV Global Explorer Boards

ROV Global Explorer is lifted onto the USCGC Healy in this time-lapse video.

The ROV Global Explorer is ready to dive in the Arctic as it sits on deck on the USCGC Healy.

The ROV Global Explorer is ready to dive as it sits on deck on the USCGC Healy.

Joe Caba works on the ROV while in port in Seward.

Joe Caba works on the ROV while in port in Seward.

The ROV is delicately lifted by a crane onto the deck of the USCGC Healy.

The ROV is delicately lifted by a crane onto the deck of the USCGC Healy.

Christopher Nicholson, who was a major contributor in creating the ROV Global Explorer and invented many instruments on the ROV, is remembered after he suddenly passed away in October 2015.

Christopher Nicholson is remembered after he suddenly passed away in October 2015.

Heidi Mendoza-Islas prepares a net to collect plankton from the water column.

Heidi Mendoza-Islas prepares a net to collect plankton from the water column.

SK1 Francis Purcell and Expedition Coordinator Kate Segarra take a well-deserved break with a round of cornhole.

SK1 Francis Purcell and Expedition Coordinator Kate Segarra take a break with a round of cornhole.

Kyle Dilliplaine cuts a syringe as smoothly as possible to be used on the box core to take samples of benthic bacteria.

Syringe Cutting

Kyle Dilliplaine cuts a syringe to be used on the box core to take samples of benthic bacteria.

The United States Coast Guard Cutter Healy sits in port in Seward, Alaska.

USCG Cutter Healy

The United States Coast Guard Cutter Healy sits in port in Seward, Alaska.

Matthew Broughton participates in safety drills by doning a life-saving Mustang suit.

Matthew Broughton participates in safety drills by doning a life-saving Mustang suit.

The science team poses with The Explorers Club Flag 61 on the helicopter deck of the USCGC Healy.

Explorers Club Flag

The science team poses with The Explorers Club Flag 61 on the helicopter deck of the USCGC Healy.

Graduate student Lauren Sutton holds the Planet that will be onboard the USCGC Healy as part of The Infinity Project.

Infinity Project Planet

Lauren Sutton holds the Planet that will be onboard the USCGC Healy as part of The Infinity Project.

This map of the Arctic Ocean highlights both the Chukchi Sea and the study region for this expedition, the Chukchi Borderlands.

This map of the Arctic Ocean highlights both the Chukchi Sea and the study region for this expedition.

The USCGC Healy was commissioned in 2000 to conduct research in ice-covered waters of the Arctic.

The USCGC Healy was commissioned in 2000 to conduct research in ice-covered waters of the Arctic.

The ROV is lowered into the Arctic waters during NOAA’s 2005 The Hidden Ocean expedition.

The ROV is lowered into the Arctic waters during NOAA's 2005 The Hidden Ocean expedition.

Open water in-between ice, also called meltponds, is a strong indication of low ice cover.

Open water in-between ice, also called meltponds, is a strong indication of low ice cover.

These polar bears are on very thin ice, surrounded by cracks and leads, which make it very hard for them to travel.

These polar bears are on very thin ice, which make it very hard for them to travel.

A microscopic view of ice algae from the Arctic.

A microscopic view of ice algae from the Arctic.

A trawl catch of the rich benthic fauna on the Arctic shelf at 50 meters depth showing lots of brittle stars, feather stars, and sea cucumbers.

A trawl catch of the rich benthic fauna on the Arctic shelf at 50 meters depth.

A sole brittle star making its way across the Arctic deep-sea plain at 3,000 meters depth.

A sole brittle star making its way across the Arctic deep-sea plain at 3,000 meters depth.

Microscopically small algae grow on the bottom of a piece of overturned Arctic sea ice. This algae would go away if there is no longer any sea ice during the Arctic summer, impacting the entire Arctic food web.

Microscopically small algae grow on the bottom of a piece of overturned Arctic sea ice.

An Arctic cod takes shelter underneath pack ice.

An Arctic cod takes shelter underneath pack ice.

This image of a pink snailfish was taken around 2,000 meters depth by a remotely operated vehicle during the 2002 Arctic Exploration cruise.

This image of a pink snailfish was taken around 2,000 meters depth during the 2002 Arctic Exploration cruise.

This image of a skate was taken around 2,000 meters depth by a remotely operated vehicle during the 2002 Arctic Exploration cruise.

This image of a skate was taken around 2,000 meters depth during the 2002 Arctic Exploration cruise.

Encased in the same suite of armour used by insects, this copepod is among the best known zooplankton group in the Arctic.

Encased in the same suite of armour used by insects, this copepod is among the best known zooplankton group in the Arctic.

The multinet is used to collection zooplankton from the water column.

The multinet is used to collect zooplankton from the water column.

Under half an inch or one centimeter in diameter, the jelly Pantachogon is often unidentifiable after collection.

Under one centimeter in diameter, the jelly Pantachogon is often unidentifiable after collection.

Devil in the dark: Its head equipped with curved hooks for grasping prey, the arrow worm lays motionless waiting to ambush prey when it hears movement nearby.

Its head equipped with curved hooks for grasping prey, the arrow worm lays motionless waiting to ambush prey.

Walrus come to the surface for air.

Walrus come to the surface for air.

An aerial view of a pair of bowhead whales.

An aerial view of a pair of bowhead whales.

A mother ribbon seal nurses her pup on the sea pack.

A mother ribbon seal nurses her pup on the sea pack.

A polar bear wanders the ice pack.

A polar bear wanders the ice pack.

The Laysan Albatross can travel long distances across the ocean.

Laysan Albatross

The Laysan Albatross can travel long distances across the ocean.

The thick-billed murre is a fish-eating species that nests along the Chukchi coastline.

Thick-billed Murre

The thick-billed murre is a fish-eating species that nests along the Chukchi coastline.

The northern fulmar nests in the Bering Sea but can sometimes be found traveling through the Chukchi Borderland.

Northern Fulmar

The northern fulmar nests in the Bering Sea but can travel through the Chukchi Borderland.

Short-tailed shearwaters fly from New Zealand to the Chukchi coastline in late summer.

Short-tailed Shearwaters

Short-tailed shearwaters fly from New Zealand to the Chukchi coastline.

Eric Collins cuts off the bottom of a sea ice core containing sea ice algae.

Eric Collins cuts off the bottom of a sea ice core containing sea ice algae.

This image shows the sea ice microstructure, including ice crystal boundaries.

Sea Ice Microstructure

This image shows the sea ice microstructure, including ice crystal boundaries.

Light microscope image of sea ice meiofauna.

Sea Ice Meiofauna

Light microscope image of sea ice meiofauna.

Close up of sea ice algae growing in the skeletal layer of sea ice.

Close up of sea ice algae growing in the skeletal layer of sea ice.

Close up of sea ice algae growing in the skeletal layer of sea ice.

Close up of sea ice algae growing in the skeletal layer of sea ice.