Ecosystems: EXPRESS
Expanding Pacific Exploration and Research
Learn how our multi-agency team is mapping uncharted waters and exploring deep-sea ecosystems off the west coast of the United States.
EXPRESS geonarrativeThe EXPRESS Campaign
EXPRESS is a multi-year, multi-institution cooperative research campaign in deep sea areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, including the continental shelf and slope.
Expanding Pacific Research & Exploration of Submerged Systems: EXPRESS
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The continental shelf and slope offshore California, Oregon, and Washington are home to deep-sea corals, chemosynthetic communities, and other sensitive habitats that could be impacted by the development of energy and mineral resources. The EXPRESS (Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems) campaign will map and characterize these special areas to help guide ocean management decisions.
USGS research oceanographer Nancy Prouty and a team of water chemistry specialists collected water column samples from several deep-sea locations off Washington, Oregon, and California.
The potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts on the human, coastal and marine environments must be evaluated in order to make environmentally sound decisions about managing energy and mining activities and developing mitigation measures. EXPRESS will explore, map, and measure regions of interest on the U.S. west coast outer continental shelf in order to improve computer models of benthic habitats.
EXPRESS priorities that contribute to ecosystem assessments include:
- Locate and characterize deep sea coral, sponge, and chemosynthetic communities, including associated fish populations
- Create a seamless map with benthic habitat classifications for targeted regions
- Extend bathymetry and backscatter coverage to high priority areas
USGS scientist Nancy Prouty (left) recovers coral samples from ROV SuBastian while British Geological Survey scientist Diana Sahy looks on. (Courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute)
For more information, explore our geonarrative:
“Expanding Pacific Exploration and Research: multi-agency team mapping uncharted waters and exploring deep-sea ecosystems off the west coast of the United States”
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems
EXPRESS is a multi-year, multi-institution cooperative research campaign in deep sea areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, including the continental shelf and slope. EXPRESS data and information are intended to guide wise use of living marine resources and habitats, inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions, and improve offshore hazard assessments.
Expanding Pacific Exploration and Research
Less than 20% of the world's oceans have been explored. A global initiative seeks to change that, by pledging to complete detailed mapping of 10% of the seafloor by the year 2030. The United States is contributing to this effort in part through a collaborative team of federal, state, and nongovernment organizations to map, explore, and characterize waters along the US Pacific coast...
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Date published: June 14, 2019WaterWords–Methanogenesis
Keep up to speed with our Falkor research cruise with this latest seafloor science syntax!
Attribution: Ecosystems, Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Environments Program, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: June 13, 2019WaterWords–Methane Seep
Keep up to speed with our Falkor research cruise with this latest seafloor science syntax!
Attribution: Ecosystems, Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Environments Program, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: June 12, 2019Seeking the Seeps
We're setting sail onboard the R/V Falkor for 21 days of deepsea science. Lead scientist Amanda Demopoulos shares what she's excited about as we head out into the Pacific.
Attribution: Ecosystems, Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Energy & Wildlife, Environments Program, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: February 21, 2019Agencies meet to discuss exploration of deep-water areas off U.S. West Coast
Core players in “Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems” (EXPRESS) held a planning workshop at the...