Expedition - Exploring Biodiversity of the Deep Hawaiian Pacific Ocean with Seafloor Mapping and eDNA Technologies
November 7 - November 17, 2023
November 7 - November 17, 2023
Whence comes the name “Escanaba”?
As the Escanaba Trough expedition wraps up, there remains one somewhat prosaic mystery: Why do we call this seafloor spreading center Escanaba Trough?
As the Escanaba Trough expedition wraps up, there remains one somewhat prosaic mystery: Why do we call this seafloor spreading center Escanaba Trough?
Critical Mineral Resources in the Escanaba Trough
In this seafloor spreading center are potential deposits of minerals deemed “critical” to national security and commerce
In this seafloor spreading center are potential deposits of minerals deemed “critical” to national security and commerce
Escanaba Trough Expedition
Updates from sea - Follow USGS scientists and collaborators as they explore the ocean floor off the coast of northern California
Updates from sea - Follow USGS scientists and collaborators as they explore the ocean floor off the coast of northern California
Take a Deep Dive into USGS Ocean Science
USGS makes a splash with a series of new web pages
USGS makes a splash with a series of new web pages
USGS Drifter Found on a Scotland Beach
. . . nearly 40 years after its release in the Arctic Ocean!
. . . nearly 40 years after its release in the Arctic Ocean!
California Deepwater Investigations and Groundtruthing
BOEM, USGS, and State of CA consider the implications and potential impacts of wind energy development miles offshore of Morro Bay
BOEM, USGS, and State of CA consider the implications and potential impacts of wind energy development miles offshore of Morro Bay
Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Deep sea areas support unique ecosystems and are sources for energy and minerals. Exploring and mapping the oceans will help us fill gaps to better understand planetary-scale processes including tectonics and marine hazards; energy, mineral and biological resources; and other large-scale Earth systems. Improved knowledge of the deep sea will help us sustainably manage and use ocean resources.
News
First Examination of Functional Capacity of Deep-sea Coral Microbiomes Reveals Details of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling Plus Tropical Similarities
First Examination of Functional Capacity of Deep-sea Coral Microbiomes Reveals Details of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling Plus Tropical Similarities
National Ocean Month
National Ocean Month
In depth: Surprising tsunamis caused by explosive eruption in Tonga
In depth: Surprising tsunamis caused by explosive eruption in Tonga
Publications
Realizing the potential of eDNA biodiversity monitoring tools in the marine environment with application to offshore renewable energy
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researches the biological diversity and distribution of species to support management, conservation, and resource use decisions. USGS scientists advance detection and monitoring technologies to assess changes in fish and wildlife populations, biodiversity, and the health of ecosystems. The United States is planning to install 30 gigawatts of offshore...
By
Systematic mapping of the ocean-continent transform plate boundary of the Queen Charlotte fault system, southeastern Alaska and western British Columbia—A preliminary bathymetric terrain model
In 2015, U.S. Geological Survey scientists in collaboration with scientists from other institutions began a study of the Queen Charlotte fault—the first systematic study of the fault in more than three decades. The primary goal of the study was to gain a better understanding of the earthquake, tsunami, and underwater-landslide hazards throughout southeastern Alaska, as well as gather...
Categorizing active marine acoustic sources based on their potential to affect marine animals
Marine acoustic sources are widely used for geophysical imaging, oceanographic sensing, and communicating with and tracking objects or robotic vehicles in the water column. Under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act and similar regulations in several other countries, the impact of controlled acoustic sources is assessed based on whether the sound levels received by marine mammals meet...
Science
Exploring Biodiversity of the Deep Hawaiian Pacific Ocean with Seafloor Mapping and eDNA Technologies
Working in partnership with BOEM and the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, scientists from the USGS will embark on a 10-day voyage to the outer limits of the U.S. Pacific waters south of Hawai’i to conduct seafloor mapping and autonomous environmental DNA sampling in order to investigate and characterize the geology and biology of the Hawaiian abyssal plain.
Delineating the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf
The United States has an interest in knowing the full extent of its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from shore (called the extended continental shelf, or ECS) so that it can better protect, manage and use the resources of the seabed and subsoil contained therein. The USGS contributes to the ECS effort through membership and leadership on the interagency U.S. ECS Task Force, a group...
USGS Law of the Sea
The USGS Law of the Sea project helps to determine the outer limits of the extended continental shelf (ECS) of the United States. The ECS is that portion of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. It is an important maritime zone that holds many resources and vital habitats for marine life. Its size may exceed one million square kilometers, encompassing areas in the Arctic, Atlantic...