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Exploring Puerto Rico’s Seamounts, Trenches, and Troughs

Océano Profundo 2015: Exploring Puerto Rico’s Seamounts, Trenches, and Troughs

Image and Video Gallery

This page contains photos and videos associated with the Exploring Puerto Rico’s Seamounts, Trenches, and Troughs expedition. Click on any image or video to view a larger version and for additional information.

Highlights from Dive 12, which was the first-ever exploration of Whiting Seamount.

Dive 12 Highlights

Whiting Seamount

This tiny octopus, whose body measured about five centimeters across, was spotted swimming along at a depth of 825 meters as we explored Whiting Seamount on April 29.

This tiny octopus, whose body measured about five centimeters across, was spotted swimming along at a depth of 825 meters as we explored Whiting Seamount on April 29.

This goosefish was encountered while we were exploring Whiting Seamount on the last dive of the expedition.

This goosefish was encountered while we were exploring Whiting Seamount on the last dive of the expedition.

Potentially a new observation for Puerto Rico waters, this jellynose fish was observed at the end of the April-29 dive on Whiting Seamount at a depth of 545 meters.

Potentially a new observation for Puerto Rico waters, this jellynose fish was observed at the end of the April-29 dive on Whiting Seamount at a depth of 545 meters.

A brittle star makes its way across the seafloor as we explored Whiting Seamount on April 29, 2015.

A brittle star makes its way across the seafloor as we explored Whiting Seamount on April 29, 2015.

Highlights from Dive 11 on Exocet Seamount, located northwest of St. Croix.

Dive 11 Highlights

Exocet Seamount

Spectacular footage of a sea cucumber “taking flight” during exploration of Exocet Seamount on April 28.

Spectacular footage of a sea cucumber “taking flight” during exploration of Exocet Seamount on April 28.

Jelly seen at approximately 800 meters water depth, while conducting mid-water transects.

Jelly seen at approximately 800 meters water depth, while conducting mid-water transects.

Highlights from Dive 10 to explore two unknown sonar anomalies just south of St. Croix. These anomalies were identified a few weeks prior to the dive by colleagues at the National Ocean Service on NOAA Ship Nancy Foster.

Dive 10 Highlights

Highlights from Dive 9, which was the first time ROV Deep Discoverer (D2) had reached it rated depth of 6,000 meters. Unfortunately, we were not able to stay long at that depth, as the ROV pilots noticed a problem with the mineral oil levels in the high voltage compensator system on D2, so we recovered the vehicles early.

Dive 9 Highlights

Puerto Rico Trench - South Wall

Highlights from Dive 8, which was an engineering dive to allow the ROV team to practice using the Deep Discoverer's new manipulator arms.

Dive 8 Highlights

Engineering Dive

Highlights from Dive 7 to explore the east wall of Guayanilla Canyon starting from a depth of 2,100 meters.

Dive 7 Highlights

Guayanilla Canyon, East Wall

Dumbo octopus seen while exploring the east wall of Guayanilla Canyon on April 16.

Dumbo octopus seen while exploring the east wall of Guayanilla Canyon on April 16.

Bathysaurus sp., also known as the deepsea lizardfish, seen while exploring a the east wall of Guayanilla Canyon during Dive 7 of the expedition on April 16.

Bathysaurus sp., also known as the deepsea lizardfish, seen while exploring a the east wall of Guayanilla Canyon during Dive 7 of the expedition on April 16.

This jellyfish was spotted on April 16, during exploration of the east wall of Guayanilla Canyon at a depth of ~2,100 meters.

This jellyfish was spotted on April 16, during exploration of the east wall of Guayanilla Canyon at a depth of ~2,100 meters.

Highlights from Dive 6, which involved the investigation the top of a Late Oligocene to Pilocene platform carbonate sequence and traversed a relatively minor fault scarp.

Dive 6 Highlights

Highlights from Dive 5, which started with mid-water transects to explore the water column followed by exploration of the east wall of Mona Canyon.

Dive 5 Highlights

Mona Canyon – East Wall

The ROV encountered this squid during mid-water transects on April 14.

The ROV encountered this squid during mid-water transects on April 14.

Highlights from Dive 4, which started with mid-water transects to explore the water column followed by exploration of the west wall of Mona Canyon.

Dive 4 Highlights

Mona Canyon – West Wall

We spotted this trachymedusae just above the seafloor along the west wall of Mona Canyon on April 13.

Trachymedusae floating just above the seafloor along the west wall of Mona Canyon on April 13.

This rare dumbo octopus (Cirrothauma murrayi) is often called the Blind Octopod due to the lack of a lens and reduced retina in its eyes. Its eyes can really only detect light and cannot form images. Seen while exploring the west wall of Mona Canyon on April 13.

Dumbo octopus seen while exploring the west wall of Mona Canyon.

An isopod is captured in Seirios' view, dancing above D2.

An odd-looking isopod that has paddle-like appendages, but swims so fast, that it is hard to get an image.

A red jellyfish slowly swims along in the water column at a depth of ~1,100 meters.

A red jellyfish slowly swims along in the water column at a depth of ~1,100 meters.

A sea cucumber seen swimming just above the seafloor while exploring the west wall of Mona Canyon.

A sea cucumber seen swimming just above the seafloor while exploring the west wall of Mona Canyon.

This Chaunax, or sea toad, began to “walk” away as D2 approached during our exploration of Mona Canyon.

Yes, this fish has legs—or at least modified fins that resemble legs. This Chaunax, or sea toad, began to “walk” away as D2 approached during our exploration of the west wall of Mona Canyon.

Highlights the third dive of the expedition exploring Pichincho, an area identified as high priority for exploration by the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council.

Dive 3 Highlights

Highlights from Dive 2 of Océano Profundo, on April 11, to investigate the apparent termination of the Septentrional Fault.

Dive 2 Highlights

Septentrional Fault

While Deep Discoverer is busy investigating the seafloor, Seirios keeps a close eye from above, sometimes catching glimpses of things we'd otherwise miss without our two-bodied ROV system...

Seirios sometimes catches glimpses of things we'd otherwise miss...

Highlights from the first remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dive of Océano Profundo 2015 on April 10. The dive focused on the investigation of the geomorphology and potential slope failures in Guajataca Canyon along the Arecibo Amphitheater, a section of the marginal escarpment of the carbonate platform.

Dive 1 Highlights

Arecibo Amphitheater

Ctenophore seen while exploring Arecibo Amphitheater during the first dive of the expedition on April 10.

Ctenophore seen while exploring Arecibo Amphitheater during the first dive of the expedition on April 10.

Jellyfish seen while exploring Arecibo Amphitheater during the first dive of the expedition.

Jellyfish seen while exploring Arecibo Amphitheater during the first dive of the expedition.

The on-ship exploration team poses with D2 at the end of the expedition.

The on-ship exploration team poses with D2 at the end of the expedition.

The Slocum Glider is deployed from NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in early March.

Slocum Glider Deployed

NOAA and the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office began a partnership in 2014 to deploy ocean gliders in the Caribbean.

Even though the strobe on NG301 was broken, the Okeanos team was able to spot the glider in the moonlight.

Even though the strobe on NG301 was broken, the Okeanos team was able to spot the glider in the moonlight.

Coordinating the retrieval of the glider was a bit tricky.

Coordinating the retrieval of the glider was a bit tricky.

Success! After a long mission and being declared lost at sea, NG301 was safely recovered.

After a long mission and being declared lost at sea, NG301 was safely recovered.

This jellynose fish was observed at the end of our dive on Whiting Seamount at a depth of 545 meters.

Potentially a new observation for Puerto Rico waters, this jellynose fish was observed at the end of our dive on Whiting Seamount at a depth of 545 meters.

This urchin was particularly interesting due to its barbed spines and brittle star associates.

This urchin was particularly interesting due to its barbed spines and brittle star associates.

We observed this type of squat lobster a couple times during the expedition.

We observed this type of squat lobster a couple times during the expedition.

This brittle star has taken up residence on a beautiful purple coral.

This brittle star has taken up residence on a beautiful purple coral.

Unless you look carefully, it’s possible to overlook this squat lobster who perfectly matches the color of its coral home.

Squat Lobster Camouflaged

Unless you look carefully, it’s possible to overlook this squat lobster who perfectly matches the color of its coral home.

This swimming sea cucumber stole the spotlight for a minute while D2 investigated an outcrop.

This swimming sea cucumber stole the spotlight for a minute while D2 investigated an outcrop.

Views like this from Seirios allow our pilots to see what is ahead and look out for any upcoming hazards.

Seirios Views

Views like this from Seirios allow our pilots to see what is ahead and look out for any upcoming hazards.

In the dark of the deep sea, this shrimp would appear black.

In the dark of the deep sea, this shrimp would appear black.

Without the powerful zoom capabilities on our main camera, it’s possible that we would have missed this tiny hermit crab entirely!

Without the powerful zoom capabilities on our main camera, it’s possible that we would have missed this tiny hermit crab entirely!

Can you spot the crab on the seafloor?

Can you spot the crab on the seafloor?

This tiny crab almost looks like another branch on this black coral.

This tiny crab almost looks like another branch on this black coral.

We observed this type of squat lobster a couple times during the expedition, but our science team still hasn’t been able to pin down exactly what species it is.

Unkown Squat Lobster

We observed this type of squat lobster a couple times during the expedition, but our science team still hasn’t been able to pin down exactly what species it is.

Translucent shrimp can mimic the translucent appearance of a polyp which makes them more difficult to see.

Transparent Shrimp

Translucent shrimp can mimic the translucent appearance of a polyp which makes them more difficult to see.

In the dark of the deep sea, this shrimp would appear black.

In the dark of the deep sea, this shrimp would appear black.

Our science team believes this to be a foraminifera.

Our science team believes this to be a foraminifera, but for awhile, we were unable to identify this strange-looking 'sunburst' organism.

Three of these wonderful animals were seen near the bottom on Dive 1 at about 4,000 meters.

Bathypelagic Ctenophore

Three of these wonderful animals were seen near the bottom on Dive 1 at about 4,000 meters.

This beautiful hydromedusa was seen at about 3,900 meters during Dive 4.

Hydromedusa from the Genus Crossota

This beautiful hydromedusa was seen at about 3,900 meters during Dive 4.

This delicate ctenophore almost always requires a remotely operated vehicle for proper observation.

Lobate Ctenophore

This delicate ctenophore almost always requires a remotely operated vehicle for proper observation.

This ctenophore, seen during Dive 1, is characterized by its jet black pigmentation.

Black Ctenophore

This ctenophore, seen during Dive 1, is characterized by its jet black pigmentation.

This long creature is a strange gelatinous animal and related to the bell-shaped medusa we have seen.

Physonect Siphonophore

This long creature is a strange gelatinous animal and related to the bell-shaped medusa we have seen.

This coronate jellyfish had a single ‘hypertrophied’ tentacle extending behind the open bell.

This coronate jellyfish had a single ‘hypertrophied’ tentacle extending behind the open bell.

A squat lobster perched on a black coral.

A squat lobster perched on a black coral.

Measuring the thickness the muddy ooze using the sea poke during Dive 10 southeast of St. Croix.

Measuring the thickness the muddy ooze using the sea poke during Dive 10 southeast of St. Croix.

A spectacular 20-meter-wide arcuate, headwall scarp in the carbonate Juanna Diaz Formation, Guayanilla Canyon.

A spectacular 20-meter-wide arcuate, headwall scarp in the carbonate Juanna Diaz Formation, Guayanilla Canyon.

Relatively recent landslide on the east wall of Mona Canyon (Dive 5).

Mona Canyon Landslide

Relatively recent landslide on the east wall of Mona Canyon (Dive 5).

Multibeam sonar bathymetry of Mona Canyon showing large landslides.

Mona Canyon Sonar

Multibeam sonar bathymetry of Mona Canyon showing large landslides.

Multibeam sonar bathymetry of a large submarine slide on the northwest wall of the Puerto Rico Trench.

Puerto Rico Trench Sonar

Multibeam sonar bathymetry of a large submarine slide on the northwest wall of the Puerto Rico Trench.

Tsunami evacuation route sign, old San Juan.

Tsunami Evacuation Sign

Tsunami evacuation route sign, old San Juan.

Map of the time (in hours) it took for the 1918 earthquake tsunami to traverse the oceans.

Map of the time (in hours) it took for the 1918 earthquake tsunami to traverse the oceans.

Map showing epicenters of magnitude 5 and greater earthquakes around Puerto Rico for last 100 years.

Earthquakes Around Puerto Rico

Map showing epicenters of magnitude 5 and greater earthquakes around Puerto Rico for last 100 years.

Todd Gregory co-pilots as the vehicles reach 6,000 meters.

Dive 9: Puerto Rico Trench - South Wall

Todd Gregory co-pilots as the vehicles reach 6,000 meters.

D2 captures one of the world's deepest selfies!

Dive 8: Engineering Dive

D2 captures one of the world's deepest selfies!

One of the deepest occurring grenadiers, Coryphaenoides armatus (Family Macrouridae).

One of the deepest occurring grenadiers, Coryphaenoides armatus (Family Macrouridae).

Gadomus arcuatus has a long chin barbel for searching for food and long tactile rays.

Gadomus Arcuatus

Gadomus arcuatus has a long chin barbel for searching for food and long tactile rays.

ROV pilot Chris Ritter practices controlling the new manipulator arm.

Still in San Juan

ROV pilot Chris Ritter practices controlling the new manipulator arm.

While engineers worked to troubleshoot our bow thruster issue, we saw a small manatee just off our bow.

Back in San Juan

While engineers worked to troubleshoot our bow thruster issue, we saw a small manatee just off our bow.

El equipo de ingeniería de Okeanos Explorer.

Okeanos Explorer Team and Equipment

El equipo de ingeniería de Okeanos Explorer.

Recuperación de Deep Discoverer.

Deep Discoverer

Recuperación de Deep Discoverer.

Cada mañana y después de cada inmersión, el equipo pasa horas cuidando de los vehículos.

Vehicle Maintenance

Cada mañana y después de cada inmersión, el equipo pasa horas cuidando de los vehículos.

Despliegue de Seirios.

Despliegue de Seirios.

The ROV team took time in port for routine maintenance and to troubleshoot a few issues.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

The ROV team took time in port for routine maintenance and to troubleshoot a few issues.

Data management intern Dan Bolan works in the rack room, the computer system hub for the ship.

Dan Bolan - Data Management

Data management intern Dan Bolan works in the rack room, the computer system hub for the ship.

Scientist Andrea Quattrini enters data into the evenlog.

Andrea Quattrini - Scientist

Scientist Andrea Quattrini enters data into the evenlog.

The ROV team spent time in port troubleshooting the new manipulator arm.

The ROV team spent time in port troubleshooting the new manipulator arm.

Okeanos Explorer back in port in San Juan.

Okeanos Explorer back in port in San Juan.

Jellyfish spotted by D2.

Dive 7: Guayanilla Canyon, East Wall

Jellyfish spotted by D2.

Overview of Okeanos dives the Mona Passage region. The red line highlights the Septentrional Fault.

Mona Passage Region

Overview of Okeanos dives the Mona Passage region. The red line highlights the Septentrional Fault.

Outcrops of breccia and conglomerate along the east wall of Mona Canyon.

Mona Canyon Conglomerate

Outcrops of breccia and conglomerate along the east wall of Mona Canyon.

This sea star has not been recorded since it was initially described 130 years ago.

This sea star has not been recorded since it was initially described 130 years ago.

On the west wall of Mona Canyon, we encountered a younger carbonate platform sequence of rocks.

Mona Canyon West Wall

On the west wall of Mona Canyon, we encountered a younger carbonate platform sequence of rocks.

ROV Deep Discoverer imaging a series of rippled bedforms.

Rippled Bedforms

ROV Deep Discoverer imaging a series of rippled bedforms.

Large carbonate block encountered during Dive 6.

Carbonate Block

Large carbonate block encountered during Dive 6.

During our dive on Pichincho, we encountered a diversity of sponges and a few barnacle crinoids, seen here in the middle of the picture.

Barnacle Crinoids

During our dive on Pichincho, we encountered a diversity of sponges and a few barnacle crinoids, seen here in the middle of the picture.

Evidence of past erosion that ROV Deep Discoverer encountered during Dive 3.

Evidence of past erosion that ROV Deep Discoverer encountered during Dive 3.

As ROV Deep Discoverer approached, this sea toad (Chaunax sp.) “walked” away.

As ROV Deep Discoverer approached, this sea toad (Chaunax sp.) “walked” away.

This sharktooth moray eel was spotted during Dive 03 in the Mona Passage.

This sharktooth moray eel was spotted during Dive 03 in the Mona Passage.

Although we observed this scorpionfish during the Platform dive, it appears to be observing us.

Although we observed this scorpionfish during the Platform dive, it appears to be observing us.

A shrimp associate with a very serrated rostrum inhabiting a glass sponge.

A shrimp associate with a very serrated rostrum inhabiting a glass sponge.

A brittle star associate with a lace coral demonstrates symbiosis in the deep sea.

A brittle star associate with a lace coral demonstrates symbiosis in the deep sea.

Brittle stars may perch on corals to feed on food particles in the water column.

Brittle stars may perch on corals to feed on food particles in the water column.

A slender dory (Parazen pacificus) was imaged puffing up the sediment, possibly trying to feed.

A slender dory (Parazen pacificus) was imaged puffing up the sediment, possibly trying to feed.

As we approached this armored sea robin, a brittle star climbed on top of the fish.

Dive 6: Platform

As we approached this armored sea robin, a brittle star climbed on top of the fish.

Un especies de coral con estrellas a Platform.

Un especies de coral con estrellas a Platform.

El vehículo operado remotamente Deep Discoverer.

El vehículo operado remotamente Deep Discoverer.

Por fin encontramos un cartucho de aproximadamente 50 cm (20 pulgadas).

Por fin encontramos un cartucho de aproximadamente 50 cm (20 pulgadas).

Bathymetría de Platform.

Bathymetría de Platform.

LT Gallant mans the bridge during ROV recovery.

A Day in the Life

LT Gallant mans the bridge during ROV recovery.

Sunrise over Puerto Rico as the ship prepares for an ROV dive.

Sunrise over Puerto Rico as the ship prepares for an ROV dive.

D2 had a fantastic encounter with a 4-6 foot squid during the dive’s mid-water transects.

D2 had a fantastic encounter with a 4-6 foot squid during the dive’s mid-water transects.

ROV Deep Discoverer encountered these two polychaetes roaming a carnivorous sponge.

Carnivorous Sponge

ROV Deep Discoverer encountered these two polychaetes roaming a carnivorous sponge.

Despite its name, squat lobsters are most closely related to hermit crabs and mole crabs, not lobsters.

Despite its name, squat lobsters are most closely related to hermit crabs and mole crabs, not lobsters.

Brisingid sea stars, like most sea stars, are capable of regenerating their arms if one is removed.

Brisingid sea stars, like most sea stars, are capable of regenerating their arms if one is removed.

This crazy-looking creature is a carniverous sponge.

This crazy-looking creature is a carniverous sponge.

Sea cucumbers are always one of my favorite animals to see on a dive.

Sea cucumbers are always one of my favorite animals to see on a dive.

This rare dumbo octopus is often called the Blind Octopod due to the lack of a lens and reduced retina in its eyes.

This rare dumbo octopus is often called the Blind Octopod due to the lack of a lens and reduced retina in its eyes.

We spotted this trachymedusae just above the seafloor along the west wall of Mona Canyon.

We spotted this trachymedusae just above the seafloor along the west wall of Mona Canyon.

This is a slime star; if you look closely through the mucus layer, you can see a shape that may look more familiar.

This is a slime star; if you look closely through the mucus layer, you can see a shape that may look more familiar.

This hermit crab uses an anemone instead of a shell!

This hermit crab uses an anemone instead of a shell!

This is a predatory tunicate with a polychaete living with it.

This is a predatory tunicate with a polychaete living with it.

This chrysogorgiid octocoral, unfamiliar our scientists, serves as a host to squat lobsters.

Dive 3: Pichincho

This chrysogorgiid octocoral, unfamiliar our scientists, serves as a host to squat lobsters.

ROV Deep Discoverer explores the rippled seafloor during Dive 02.

Dive 2: Septentrional Fault

ROV Deep Discoverer explores the rippled seafloor during Dive 02.

A close up of a grenadier investigating ROV Deep Discoverer.

Dive 1: Arecibo Amphitheater

A close up of a grenadier investigating ROV Deep Discoverer.

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer leaves San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the start of the cruise.

Leaving San Juan

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer leaves San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the start of the cruise.

Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer is deployed for a dive.

Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer is deployed for a dive.

During an ROV “dunk test” all systems of ROV Deep Discoverer were cleared for operations.

During an ROV “dunk test” all systems of ROV Deep Discoverer were cleared for operations.

Mission map showing the operating areas, with priority areas outlined in black, for Leg 3 of the expedition.

Mission map showing the operating areas, with priority areas outlined in black, for Leg 3 of the expedition.

Bathymetry of the northeast corner of the Caribbean Plate, including the Puerto Rico Trench.

Caribbean Plate and Puerto Rico Trench

Bathymetry of the northeast corner of the Caribbean Plate, including the Puerto Rico Trench.

During the Seamounts of the Anegada Passage Expedition, scientists encountered this colony of black coral.

During the Seamounts of the Anegada Passage Expedition, scientists encountered this colony of black coral.

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer uses telepresence technology to transmit data in real-time to shore.

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer uses telepresence technology to transmit data in real-time to shore.

NOAA ShipOkeanos Explorer llega a Puerto Rico para comenzar Océano Profundo 2015.

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer llega a Puerto Rico para comenzar Océano Profundo 2015.

Bathymetry of the northeast corner of the Caribbean Plate showing the major faults and plate boundaries.

Caribean Plate Faults and Boundaries

Bathymetry of the northeast corner of the Caribbean Plate showing the major faults and plate boundaries.

Cross section view looking west showing how the Puerto Rico Trench formed.

Puerto Rico Trench

Cross section view looking west showing how the Puerto Rico Trench formed.

How big is the Puerto Rico Trench? Cross sections, drawn to the same scale, comparing canyons.

Puerto Rico Trench Canyons

How big is the Puerto Rico Trench? Cross sections, drawn to the same scale, comparing canyons.

View of the Mona Canyon looking south towards the Mona Passage.

View of the Mona Canyon looking south towards the Mona Passage.

A member of the deepwater snapper-grouper complex, the misty grouper.

A member of the deepwater snapper-grouper complex, the misty grouper.

Mr. L Román holding a catch of Atlantic Scombrops and Cartucho.

Mr. L Román holding a catch of Atlantic Scombrops and Cartucho.

Queen snapper resting on the seafloor on Dog Seamount in the Caribbean.

Queen snapper resting on the seafloor on Dog Seamount in the Caribbean.

Vertical long line used in Puerto Rico to capture deep-water snappers and groupers.

Vertical long line used in Puerto Rico to capture deep-water snappers and groupers.

Preliminary cruise map showing planned operations for Leg 2 of the expedition.

Leg 2 Cruise Map

Preliminary cruise map showing planned operations for Leg 2 of the expedition.

Preliminary cruise map showing Leg 2, Priority 1 survey area.

Leg 2 Survey Area

Preliminary cruise map showing Leg 2, Priority 1 survey area.

Oblique view showing Leg 2, Priority 1 survey area. Figure created in Fledermaus.

Leg 2, Priority 1

Oblique view showing Leg 2, Priority 1 survey area. Figure created in Fledermaus.

Map showing area of operations during the first leg of the Caribbean mapping expedition.

Leg 1 Mapping Expedition

Map showing area of operations during the first leg of the Caribbean mapping expedition.

Map showing path of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer's transit to the Caribbean and the final survey area.

Map showing path of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer's transit to the Caribbean and the final survey area.