NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Begins Deep-Water Expedition in American Samoa

The NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer has embarked on a 29-day expedition to map and explore deep waters in and around American Samoa. The mission team will conduct remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives to investigate the seafloor and water column, focusing on marine critical minerals like polymetallic nodules, seamount habitats, and deep-sea coral and sponge communities. Public participation is enabled through continuous shore-side telepresence technology.