NOAA scientists have come across a wide diversity of sea creatures, like this bobtail squid, in largely unexplored deep-sea canyons off the northeastern U.S. coast. The Okeanos Explorer left port for the first set of dives in July. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Foceanexplorer.noaa.gov%2Fokeanos%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Watch live video</a> and follow along as the explorations continue through August 16.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
NOAA scientists have come across a wide diversity of sea creatures, like this bobtail squid, in largely unexplored deep-sea canyons off the northeastern U.S. coast. The Okeanos Explorer left port for the first set of dives in July. Watch live video and follow along as the explorations continue through August 16.
NOAA
A rhinochimaera swims 10 meters above the ocean floor.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
A rhinochimaera swims 10 meters above the ocean floor.
NOAA
An octopus curls into a ball.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
An octopus curls into a ball.
NOAA
A basket star, an octopus, bivalves and dozens of cup coral share the same overhang. Many species of invertebrates live together on the steep canyon walls.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
A basket star, an octopus, bivalves and dozens of cup coral share the same overhang. Many species of invertebrates live together on the steep canyon walls.
NOAA
A gaidropsarus peaks out from under a carbonate rock.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
A gaidropsarus peaks out from under a carbonate rock.
NOAA
A red brittle star occupies white octocoral.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
A red brittle star occupies white octocoral.
NOAA
Methane bubbles flow in small streams out of the sediment on the ocean floor.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
Methane bubbles flow in small streams out of the sediment on the ocean floor.
NOAA
An eel attacks a squid resting 750 meters beneath the surface.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
An eel attacks a squid resting 750 meters beneath the surface.
NOAA
This pink geometric pattern was found in Nygren Canyon more than a mile underwater. It stumped the scientists, who now think it is some type of mollusk egg case.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
This pink geometric pattern was found in Nygren Canyon more than a mile underwater. It stumped the scientists, who now think it is some type of mollusk egg case.
NOAA
A shrimp rests on octocoral in Hydrographer Canyon, off the coast of Nantucket.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
A shrimp rests on octocoral in Hydrographer Canyon, off the coast of Nantucket.
NOAA
A king crab rests near a spiky sea urchin.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
A king crab rests near a spiky sea urchin.
NOAA
A bathysaurus was spotted in Veatch Canyon. These fish use their lower jaw to scoop up sand and filter out food.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
A bathysaurus was spotted in Veatch Canyon. These fish use their lower jaw to scoop up sand and filter out food.
NOAA
A brisingid sea star rests on a group of cup corals in Alvin Canyon.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
A brisingid sea star rests on a group of cup corals in Alvin Canyon.
NOAA
Sea spiders have muscles so small that they are only a single cell surrounded by connective tissue.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
Sea spiders have muscles so small that they are only a single cell surrounded by connective tissue.
NOAA
The Deep Discoverer, a remotely operated vehicle, investigates the geomorphology of Block Canyon.
Exploring deep-sea canyons —
The Deep Discoverer, a remotely operated vehicle, investigates the geomorphology of Block Canyon.
NOAA