Windows to the Deep 2021: Southeast U.S. ROV and Mapping

October 26 - November 15, 2021

Expedition Plan

From October 26 to November 15, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will conduct a telepresence-enabled ocean exploration expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. The Windows to the Deep 2021: Southeast ROV and Mapping expedition will collect critical information about unexplored and poorly understood deepwater areas of the Blake Plateau region of the North Atlantic Ocean. This foundational information will encourage further exploration and research and inform resource management decisions and activities in the region.

“Like a coral highway!” Lead scientists on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer were stunned to see extensive, dense populations of coral during yesterday’s Window to the Deep 2019 dive. — “Like a coral highway!” Lead scientists on NOAA Ship *Okeanos Explorer* were stunned to see extensive, dense populations of coral during yesterday’s Window to the Deep 2019 dive. *Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Windows to the Deep 2019.* Download largest version (jpg, 1.5 MB).

This expedition will build on previous expeditions in the region, including the 2003 Windows to the Deep expedition, Windows to the Deep 2018, Windows to the Deep 2019, the 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-Sea Exploration, and the DEEP SEARCH (DEEP Sea Exploration to Advance Research on Coral/Canyon/Cold seep Habitats) expeditions. These expeditions have contributed greatly to what we now know about environments along the edge of the southeastern U.S. continental margin.

Expedition Goals

This map shows the Blake Plateau region overlaid with the expedition track (white line) and tentative remotely operated vehicle dive sites (dots) for the Windows to the Deep 2021: Southeast U.S. ROV and Mapping expedition. — This map shows the Blake Plateau region overlaid with the expedition track (white line) and tentative remotely operated vehicle dive sites (dots) for the **Windows to the Deep 2021: Southeast U.S. ROV and Mapping** expedition. *Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Windows to the Deep 2021.* Download largest version (jpg, 2 MB).

Our priorities for Windows to the Deep 2021: Southeast U.S. ROV and Mapping include a combination of science, education, outreach, and open-data objectives that will provide a better understanding of this important marine region. Specific expedition goals are:

Acquire data on deepwater benthic and water column habitats of the southeastern U.S. continental margin to support priority science and management needs
Identify, map, and explore the diversity and distribution of benthic habitats, including fish habitats and deep-sea coral and sponge communities
Explore U.S. maritime heritage by identifying and investigating sonar anomalies
Investigate biogeographic patterns of deep-sea ecosystems and connectivity across the southeastern U.S. continental margin for use in broader comparisons of deepwater habitats throughout the Atlantic basin
Collect and document samples for NOAA's Ocean Exploration Collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (biological) and at Oregon State University Geological Repository (geological) so that they are available for detailed study
Map, survey, and sample geological features of the southeastern U.S. continental margin to better understand the geological context of the region and improve knowledge of past and potential future geohazards
Collect high-resolution bathymetry in areas with no or low-quality sonar data
Acquire a foundation of remotely operated vehicle (ROV), sonar, and oceanographic data to better understand the characteristics of the water column and the fauna that live there
Engage a broad spectrum of the scientific community and public in telepresence-enabled exploration, and provide publicly accessible data and information products to spur further exploration, research, and management activities

Multibeam bathymetry collected on a previous mapping expedition to the southeastern U.S. continental margin revealed complex seafloor features. Expedition planners will use previously collected data like this to help identify priority mapping areas and remotely operated vehicle dive locations. *Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Windows to the Deep 2019.* Download largest version (jpg, 2.7 MB).

This expedition supports the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (pdf) and Seabed 2030 and will contribute to the Atlantic Seafloor Partnership for Integrated Research and Exploration (ASPIRE) in support of the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation (pdf).

Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer, shown here, will be deployed with ROV Seirios to acquire high-resolution visual data and collect limited samples during the Windows to the Deep 2021: Southeast U.S. ROV and Mapping expedition. — Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) *Deep Discoverer*, shown here, will be deployed with ROV *Seirios* to acquire high-resolution visual data and collect limited samples during the **Windows to the Deep 2021: Southeast U.S. ROV and Mapping** expedition. *Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Deep Connections 2019.* Download largest version (jpg, 5 MB).

Operations

During Windows to the Deep 2021, at-sea and shore-based science teams will work together to explore and map the seafloor and the water column. Our 24-hour operations will include ROV dives during the day and mapping operations at night. We will use the state-of-the-art deepwater mapping systems on Okeanos Explorer, our dual-bodied ROV system that can dive to depths of 6,000 meters (3.7 miles), and a high-bandwidth satellite connection for real-time ship-to-shore communications.

During the ROV dives, we will collect high-resolution visual surveys (video) of water column and seafloor habitats and a limited number of biological and geological samples. We expect the dives to feature deep-sea coral and sponge habitats, biogenic (coral) mounds, interesting geological features, and more. We will stream live video of the dives online from October 27 to November 14.

NOAA Ocean Exploration uses telepresence technology on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to transmit data in real time to a shore-based hub where the video is then transmitted to any internet-enabled device. Access to the video and a suite of online collaboration tools allow scientists and the public on shore to join the expedition as it is happening. — NOAA Ocean Exploration uses telepresence technology on NOAA Ship *Okeanos Explorer* to transmit data in real time to a shore-based hub where the video is then transmitted to any internet-enabled device. Access to the video and a suite of online collaboration tools allow scientists and the public on shore to join the expedition as it is happening. *Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration.* Download largest version (jpg, 1.1 MB).

Telepresence-Enabled Exploration

NOAA Ocean Exploration uses telepresence technology to transmit data in real time. A high-bandwidth satellite connection, teleconference line, and online collaboration tools enable the majority of an expedition’s science team to remain on shore. Thus, scientists can join an expedition from land, from anywhere in the world, and contribute their expertise to at-sea operations as they are happening. By extending the reach of ocean exploration, these communications tools allow us to engage more scientists than could possibly be accommodated aboard any single ship.

Exploration for All

Using telepresence, NOAA Ocean Exploration also invites the public to explore the deep ocean and experience the wonder of discovery and the fascination of science along with us, LIVE. The live video is available to anyone online, giving the public a front row seat to discoveries as they are made.

We have developed web content specifically for this expedition that includes a video and image gallery, expedition updates, dive information, and explorer biographies. In addition, our educator resources are designed to help educators and students engage with the expedition through related products, including standards-based lesson plans, background information, ocean career connections, links to previous NOAA Ocean Exploration-sponsored expeditions, and more.

Published October 20, 2021