Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea Mapping

Highlights from the expedition include:

1. Conducting focused multibeam bathymetry and backscatter surveys along the Murray Fracture Zone, revealing new insight into the 100-million-year-old history of the now-extinct Pacific-Farallon Spreading Center.
2. Mapping a previously unnamed and unmapped seamount that rises 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) off the seafloor and has a caldera, or volcanic crater, that spans 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles).
3. Hosting Hawaiian community liaisons Malia Evans and Makoa Pascoe to highlight the local knowledge and practices that were an important part of the history of the monument. This effort was developed in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
4. Conducting live ship-to-shore interactions with the Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili Keiki Papa community summer mentorship program and the Punahou School on Oʻahu.
5. Training four Explorer-in-Training interns, including three interns in ocean mapping data acquisition and processing as well as one science communications Explorer-in-Training intern.

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July 18-August 12, NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted the Papahānaumokuākea Mapping 2 expedition within deep waters of Papahānaumokuākea. More than 77,100 square kilometers (29,768 square miles) of seafloor was mapped during the expedition, including over 76,000 square kilometers (29,344 square miles) within the U.S. EEZ.

Highlights from the expedition include:

1. Mapping previously unmapped seamounts, including one rising more than 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) above the surrounding seafloor.
2. Hosting Hawaiian community liaison, Kalā Hind Boyd, to highlight the local knowledge and practices that were an important part of the history of the monument. This effort was developed in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
3. Conducting live ship-to-shore interactions with school groups and community organizations to communicate the goals of the expedition and the importance of ocean exploration.
4. Training three Explorer-in-Training interns in ocean mapping data acquisition and processing.

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To wrap up 2024 operations, NOAA Ocean Exploration spent 25 days at sea on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer on the Papahānaumokuākea Mapping 3 expedition. From October 19-November 12, the team collected 43,029 square kilometers (12,545 square nautical miles) of bathymetric data in waters deeper than 200 meters (656 feet), all within the U.S. EEZ.

Highlights from the expedition include:

1. Mapping focused survey areas southeast of Maro Reef in the monument expansion zone.
2. Conducting 12 live ship-to-shore interactions with school groups and community organizations.
3. Hosting Hawaiian community liaisons, Pīkake Kuniyoshi and Kalauʻihilani Robins, to highlight the local knowledge and practices that were an important part of the history of the monument. This effort was developed in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
4. Training three Explorer-in-Training interns in ocean mapping data acquisition and processing, two of whom also contributed to public communication efforts.