Brightly Colored Coral Garden on Argonaut Seamount
This highlight video features stunning views of a deep-water coral garden on Argonaut Seamount in the eastern branch of the Liliʻuokalani Ridge Seamounts. Take a look at dozens of species on these volcanic summits including Walteria sponges, Chrysogorgia corals, basket stars, squat lobsters, and so much more! Thousands of meters deep, these coral forests remind us of an otherworldly environment that could be found in a fantasy land.
We used to falsely believe that the bottom of the ocean floor was a deserted landscape void of life. Thanks to ocean exploration efforts we now know that life is not only plentiful but also diverse and incredibly beautiful on the ocean floor.
Learn more about this expedition funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute with additional support from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
Luʻuaeaahikiikekumu - Ancient Seamounts of Liliʻuokalani Ridge
This expedition will have E/V Nautilus returning to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) to build on the accomplishments of the 2021 Luʻuaeaahikiikalipolipo expedition, which mapped the previously unmapped Liliʻuokalani Ridge Seamounts. The team returns for the first visual exploratory surveys of the seamount chain looking to investigate a puzzling split in the seamount trail.
