Hi Reddit! We're scientists aboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer on a
mission to answer your questions about our deep-ocean exploration
missions. Ask Us Anything!
Abstract
Hi Reddit! We are Derek Sowers (NOAA seafloor mapping expert), Kasey
Cantwell (NOAA ocean explorer), Cheryl Morrison (research geneticist,
USGS), and Leslie Sautter (geologist, College of Charleston). We are
joined by the Mission Team on board NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to answer
your questions about our current expedition exploring deep-sea habitats
of the southeast U.S. Continental Margin. Throughout the expedition, we
are using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore the seafloor and
video streams from the ROVs are being transmitted via satellite from
ship to shore. This means anyone with an Internet connection –
including YOU! – can tune in LIVE with scientists from around the
world, sharing an unprecedented glimpse of never-seen-before deep marine
habitats. We expect to encounter large, diverse coral and sponge
communities; uncover important deep-sea ecosystems; explore historical
shipwrecks; map the seafloor; and learn more about the geologic history
of the area. Information collected during the expedition will expand our
knowledge of these unknown and poorly known deepwater areas and to
provide data for decision makers. We’re here from 2 - 4 pm ET to answer
your questions about our deep-ocean exploration missions. Big thanks to
everyone who joined us today! We had a great time responding to all the
great questions about ocean exploration! The Windows to the Deep 2018:
Exploration of the Southeast U.S. Continental Margin expedition is just
getting started, so be sure to visit the pages below to follow along as
we explore submarine canyons, submerged cultural heritage sites,
deep-sea corals and sponge habitats, inter-canyon areas, gas seeps, and
more! Live video of dives (daily, June 14 - July 1, from
~8 am to 4:30 pm ET):
https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/livestreams/welcome.html Windows to the
Deep 2018 web coverage:
https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1806/welcome.html
Expedition images/videos:
https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1806/logs/photolog/welcome.html
Bios of the explorers on the current mission:
https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1806/background/explorers/explorers.html
Home page of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research website
(so you don’t miss future expeditions):
https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/welcome.html Time to get back to
exploring!