The science team aboard the R/V Falkor during a livestream ROV dive. Photo Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute.
Scientists from PMEL’s Earth Ocean Interactions (EOI) group, which includes JISAO and CIMRS, return to the Mariana back-arc on the Schmidt Ocean Institute R/V Falkor from November 29 to December 20. The Mariana back-arc is west of the Mariana Trench near Guam and is a relatively unexplored region.
This year's research cruise follows up on discoveries made last year aboard R/V Falkor and will focus on those newly discovered hydrothermal vent sites and lava flows. This cruise is part of a multi-year exploration and research project to understand the character of hydrothermal systems and biological connectivity in the Mariana region.
PMEL’s Earth Ocean Interactions (EOI) group and collaborators are the first scientists using the new Schmidt Ocean Institute’s ROV SuBastian. ROV SuBastian will provide in-depth exploration and sampling of these systems to characterize their geologic setting, chemical environment, and biological communities. This expedition is supported by Schmidt Ocean Institute, NOAA's Ocean Exploration and Research Program, and the NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office. (Image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute)
Follow live with our scientists as the ROV dives down to explore the region: https://schmidtocean.org/technology/live-from-rv-falkor/ and on Twitter #hydrothermalhunt