Introduction
Welcome to the seventh ocean exploration supplement
to Oceanography! In addition to the initial results of the
Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus and National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ship Okeanos Explorer
2016 expeditions, we are very pleased this year to include
highlights of several projects that took place aboard Research
Vessel (R/V) Falkor, as provided by guest contributor Schmidt
Ocean Institute (SOI). In 2016, the three programs focused
their efforts in the largest ocean basin on the planet—Falkor
in the southern and western Pacific, Okeanos Explorer in
the central and western Pacific, and Nautilus in the eastern
Pacific. Here, we include summaries of research, exploration,
and discoveries, describing new developments in technology
and engineering, as well as innovative education and outreach
approaches for learners around the globe.
Continuing its mission of ocean exploration, innovation,
and education, the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) embarked
on the eighth field season of E/V Nautilus. This section of the
supplement begins with a catalog of Nautilus’ technical capa-
bilities (pages 6–11), as well reports on new experimental tech-
nologies that were deployed at sea (pages 12–13), upgrades
to the software systems of the remotely operated vehicles
(ROVs) Hercules and Argus (page 14), and new techniques
and results for sample collection and analysis (pages 15–17).
Next, we describe OET’s global efforts for increasing interest
and literacy in science, technology, engineering, and mathe-
matics (STEM) fields by harnessing the public’s excitement
about ocean exploration (pages 18–23). Finally, we report on
the results of the 2016 Nautilus field season’s geological, bio-
logical, and archaeological exploration off the west coast of
North America, from British Columbia to southern California
(pages 24–41). Several of the nine cruises were undertaken
in partnership with the NOAA Office of National Marine
Sanctuaries and Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory,
and the results are being used to support NOAA priorities in
the region. The Nautilus team looks forward to continuing to
grow these and other relationships in 2017 and beyond.
The second section focuses on the advances and accom-
plishments of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, as well as other
exploratory efforts by the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration
and Research (OER). We begin with a description of the tech-
nologies and innovations used for ocean exploration, includ-
ing telepresence, ocean mapping, and managing and expand-
ing access to oceanographic video and data, as well as the
important work of the US Extended Continental Shelf Project
(pages 42–52). Next, we focus on the results of field projects,
most of which were carried out aboard Okeanos Explorer
under the auspices of the Campaign to Address Pacific mon-
ument Science, Technology, and Ocean NEeds (CAPSTONE;
pages 53–73). The CAPSTONE campaign included deep-sea
mapping and imaging along with biological and geological
exploration of the Hawaiian Archipelago, Mariana Islands,
and remote Pacific islands, including Wake Island. This
campaign included World War II-related underwater archae-
ology. We also report on the findings of the exploration of
the Chukchi Borderlands and Glacier Bay National Park and
Preserve (pages 74–75). Affirmation of OER’s continued com-
mitment to encourage the next generation of ocean explorers,
scientists, and engineers through public engagement and
education closes the section (pages 76–77).
In the third and final section of this supplement, we high-
light several research projects supported by Schmidt Ocean
Institute in 2016. SOI strives to advance the frontiers of global
marine research by providing state-of-the-art operational,
technological, and informational support to pioneering ocean
science and technology projects at sea. In 2016, SOI supported
studies of oxygen minimum zones; high-resolution mapping
of hydrothermal vents in three dimensions; and investigation
of physical, chemical, and microbial processes in the air-sea
microlayer, as well as other projects in the South China Sea
near Hawai‘i (pages 78–83). With its philanthropic efforts,
SOI aims to demonstrate how scalable innovation can tackle
important scientific and societal challenges.
All three programs are continuing their important work in
the Pacific Ocean in 2017, and we look forward to sharing our
discoveries with you.
By Katherine L.C. Bell, William Mowitt, and Victor Zykov