Data Management & Access
Trustworthy Data for All
A major goal of OET is to collect accurate, trustworthy, and bias-free data and to make that data publicly available, so that all stakeholders can conduct follow-on research and management activities. In addition to live-streaming expeditions, data and samples collected on E/V Nautilus are made publicly available after they have been processed, quality-controlled, and documented with standardized metadata and scientific best practices.
With the exception of datasets that are legally protected from public release, such as position data of maritime heritage sites, data are submitted to publicly available data repositories after the conclusion of each expedition, ensuring that anyone with an Internet connection can discover and access our rich datasets.
Data is collected using rigorous and standardized protocols, as well as scientific best practices
Data is processed, quality controlled, and documented with standard metadata to ensure data accuracy and integrity
Multiple copies of the data are stored internally to ensure long-term archival of expedition information
Data is shared with external online repositories for easy access and public distribution
Explore Data by Type
Raw Sensor Data
Raw data from ship-based sensors, including multibeam, sub-bottom profiler, ship navigation, sea-surface velocity, and sound velocity profile data, are sent to the Rolling Deck to Repository (R2R) for public distribution and access.
Processed Mapping and ROV Data
Processed data from mapping and ROV operations, including multibeam, ship navigation, ROV navigation, ROV annotations, ROV CTD, and ROV images, are sent to the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS) for public distribution and access.
Raw and Processed Multibeam Data
In addition to R2R and MGDS, raw and processed multibeam data collected on NOAA-funded expeditions are also sent to the NOAA National Centers of Environmental Information (NCEI) for public distribution and access.
ROV Video Footage
Since 2019, full video recordings of ROV dives have been uploaded to YouTube for public distribution and access.
Biological Samples
Since 2012, biological voucher specimens collected on ROV dives have been deposited at the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) for long-term curation and to make them available to qualified researchers worldwide. In addition to providing opportunities to examine these specimens at MCZ facilities, archived specimens can also be loaned out in most cases.
Geological Samples
Since 2012, rocks and sediment cores collected on ROV dives have been deposited at the University of Rhode Island Marine Geological Samples Laboratory (MGSL) for long-term curation and to make them available to qualified researchers worldwide. In addition to providing opportunities to examine specimens at MGSL, archived specimens can also be loaned out in most cases.
Additional Data Repositories
In addition to the standard data types routinely collected as part of our ROV and mapping operations, various other datasets have been opportunistically collected on OET expeditions. These opportunistic datasets are processed by external partners and made publicly available via various data repositories, often in combination with data collected by other programs.
Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Records
ROV video data from several previous expeditions has been analyzed for the presence of deep-sea corals and sponges. These coral and sponge records have been submitted to the NOAA National Database for Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges for public distribution and access.
Explore NOAA National Database for Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges records
ROV Dive Annotations
ROV dives from several previous expeditions have been annotated for biology, geology, and archaeology. These annotations, along with the corresponding video, navigation, and CTD data, have been submitted to Ocean Network Canada’s SeaTube for public distribution and access.
Explore ROV dive annotations on SeaTube
Marine Aerosol Data
Since 2011, OET has opportunistically collected marine aerosol measurements on select expeditions using sun photometers and sent these to the NASA Maritime Aerosol Network (AERONET) for public distribution and access.
Explore marine aerosol data at AERONET
Topside Marine Faunal Observations
Since 2025, OET has partnered with several researchers to opportunistically conduct topside marine faunal surveys from the observation deck on E/V Nautilus. Bird observations from these surveys have been sent to eBird, and other faunal observations have been sent to iNaturalist for public distribution and access.
Explore faunal records on iNaturalist
ARGO Float Data
Since 2025, OET has partnered with the Global Ocean Biogeochemistry Array to opportunistically deploy Argo floats. Real-time environmental data from these floats can be accessed via the Global Ocean Biochemistry Array data page.
Explore Argo float data at the Global Ocean Biochemistry Array
Looking for data from a specific expedition?
After OET datasets are made publicly available by external data repositories, the direct links to each dataset are added to each expedition webpage. When available, these direct links can be found on the data panel on the right side of each OET expedition page.
Data Requests
If you cannot find a specific dataset from previous E/V Nautilus expeditions, you can request it by filling out the OET Data & Video Request Form.
Data User Guide
Learn more about how our expedition data is collected, processed, and stored in our OET Data User Guide. The guide includes an overview of our data processing procedures on E/V Nautilus expeditions, including detailed information on our data directory structure and sensors.
Publications
In addition to making our data publicly available, OET works closely with partners to publish our scientific discoveries and accomplishments in our annual report and in peer-reviewed scientific literature. To date, we have published over 500 scientific articles based on data collected during E/V Nautilus expeditions, which you can explore on our OET publications page.
Publication Policy
OET encourages all stakeholders to use our data, but requests that it is appropriately acknowledged to ensure compliance with sponsor and permit requirements. Find specific guidance on how to acknowledge data from previous OET expeditions in our OET Publication Policy.
