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Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos taken during the 2004 Gulf of Alaska Seamount Expedition that took place July 30 - August 23, 2004. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a QuickTime video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Other video formats are available on the linked pages.

If a slideshow icon slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

camera icon Video & Slideshows
Students at UCAP school in Providence, R.I. talk by satellite phone with NOAA scientist. A few swarms of crabs scavenging on some dead fish. Spider crabs, Macroregonia macrochira, were collected from a depth of 2900 meters on Pratt Seamount. View a slide show of live Isidella trichotoma bamboo coral found of the Giacomini Seamount.

camera icon Summary
View a slide show of Students at UCAP school in Providence, R.I. as they talk by satellite phone with NOAA scientist.

camera icon August 20
A few swarms of crabs, scavenging on some dead fish. (Quicktime, 1.6 Mb.)

camera icon August 20
Spider crabs, Macroregonia macrochira, collected at 2,900 m depth on Pratt Seamount. (Quicktime, 1.8 Mb.)

camera icon August 19
View a slide show of live bamboo coral, Isidella trichotoma, found at Giacomini Seamount.
View a slide show of Paragorgia sp. bubblegum coral collected from the Welker Seamount. See how a snail fish, family Liparidae, was collected with the Alvin’s sucktion gun. The Siphonogorgia sp. coral from the family Nidaliidae, was discovered on Pratt Seamount. See how the claw and arm of Alvin are able to sample a “wedge” of pillow basalt pulled from a fractured pillow lava.

camera icon August 19
View a slide show of bubblegum coral, Paragorgia sp., collected from Welker Seamount.

camera icon August 19
See how a snail fish (family Liparidae) was collected with the Alvin’s suction gun. (Quicktime,928 Kb.)

camera icon August 19
Siphonogorgia sp. coral (family Nidaliidae) was discovered on Pratt Seamount. (Quicktime,988 Kb.)

camera icon August 18
See how the claw and arm of Alvin are able to sample a “wedge” of pillow basalt pulled from a fractured pillow lava. (QuickTime, 1.8 Mb)
See DSV Alvin peek around a Primnoid coral to see a large aggregation of brittle stars. View a slide show of some of the deep-sea corals of the Alaska Seamounts. Coral and other biological samples are taken into the cold room for processing. View a slide show of some of the sponges of the Alaska Seamounts.

camera icon August 17
See DSV Alvin peek around a Primnoid coral to see a large aggregation of brittle stars. (QuickTime, 1 Mb)

camera icon August 16
View a slide show of some of the deep-sea corals of the Alaska Seamounts.

camera icon August 16
Coral and other biological samples are taken into the cold room for processing. (QuickTime, 1.2 Mb)

camera icon August 12
View a slide show of some of the sponges of the Alaska Seamounts.
Deep sea corals are not the only habitat formers on the seamounts. Deep sea corals are often considered the condominiums of the deep. A scarlet king crab, from the genus Lithodes, which means ‘rock-shaped’ is dissected in the lab. A variety of whales, including finback, humpback and sperm whales, accompany us daily.

camera icon August 12
Deep-sea corals are not the only habitat formers on the seamounts. (QuickTime, 1.6 Mb)

camera icon August 12
Deep-sea corals are often considered the "condominiums of the deep." (QuickTime, 1.3 Mb)

camera icon August 10
A scarlet king crab from the genus Lithodes, which means "rock-shaped," is dissected in the lab. (QuickTime, 2.3 Mb)

camera icon August 9
A variety of whales, including finback, humpback, and sperm whales, accompany us daily. (QuickTime, 1.6 Mb)
A piece of basalt that was taken off the ocean floor in the Gulf of Alaska. Catalina Martinez, NOAA OE Expedition Coordinator after her first dive. An Antipatharian or black coral, in 1400 meters of water on Denson Seamount.

camera icon August 6
A piece of basalt that was taken off the ocean floor in the Gulf of Alaska. (QuickTime, 1.5 Mb)

camera icon August 5
Catalina Martinez, NOAA OE expedition coordinator, after her first Alvin dive. (QuickTime, 1.9 Mb)

camera icon August 5
An Antipatharian, or black coral, in 1,400 m of water on Denson Seamount. (QuickTime, 1.2 Mb)

Images
The 2004 Gulf of Alaska Seamount Expedition Science party. A bubblegum coral is occupied by a number of basket stars (Asteronyx sp.) A 3-D perspective generated from our bathymetric mapping of Giacomini (right) and Ely (left). A hyaloclastite, a highly fragmented volcanic rock common on the upper slopes of seamounts.

Summary
The 2004 Gulf of Alaska Seamount Expedition Science party.

Summary
A bubblegum coral is occupied by a number of basket stars (Asteronyx sp.)

Summary
A 3-D perspective generated from our bathymetric mapping of Giacomini (right) and Ely (left).

Summary
A hyaloclastite, a highly fragmented volcanic rock common on the upper slopes of seamounts.
We found a number of coral species in the family Paragorgiidae. These coral are often referred to as Bubblegum corals. Bamboo corals were among the dominant groups. They are in the Family Isididae. Antipatharians corals are often referred to as “black corals” for their dark black skeletons. Primnoids are a very diverse group of corals that range from highly branched forms.

Summary
A number of coral species in the Paragorgiidae family (Bubblegum corals) were discovered.

Summary
Bamboo corals were among the dominant groups. They are in the Isididae family.

Summary
Antipatharians corals are often referred to as “black corals” for their dark black skeletons.

Summary
Primnoids are a very diverse group of corals that range from highly branched forms.
The delicate coral in this image is in the Family Chrysogorgiidae. A live bamboo coral in 800 meters of water on Pratt Seamount. This seastar is climbing a denuded bamboo coral skeleton, feeding on the unprotected polyps. Seawater is filtered by Naomi Ward and Bosun Patrick Hennessy. Bacterial cells are traped in very small pore size filters for later identification.

Summary
The delicate coral in this image is in the Chrysogorgiidae family.

Summary
A live bamboo coral in 800 meters of water on Pratt Seamount.

Summary
This seastar is climbing a denuded bamboo coral skeleton, feeding on the unprotected polyps.

Summary
Bacterial cells from Seawater are traped in very small pore size filters for later identification.
Naomi Ward prepares to collect mucus and polyp samples from this big bamboo specimen. Scientists swarm the basket after Alvin’s return to the surface. Students at UCAP school in Providence, R.I. talk by satellite phone with NOAA scientist. Chief Scientist, Tom Shirley, discusses the results of the cruise with reporters and educators.

Summary
Naomi Ward prepares to collect mucus and polyp samples from this big bamboo specimen.

Summary
Scientists swarm the basket after Alvin’s return to the surface.

Summary
Students at UCAP school in Providence, R.I. talk by satellite phone with NOAA scientist.

Summary
Chief Scientist, Tom Shirley, discusses the results of the cruise with reporters and educators.
A multi beam image of Ely Seamount, the caldera is visible at the apex of the seamount. The early-morning orange horizon after a night of angry seas.

August 23
A multibeam image of Ely Seamount; the caldera is visible at the apex of the seamount. (HR)

August 23
The early-morning orange horizon after a night of angry seas.
Freshly-baited crab traps are lowered on a metal platform to the sea floor. Deep-sea spider crabs, like this one, have long, spider-like legs and are a brilliant red. Spider crab blood samples enable us to study hormone levels. The external portion of an unusual, parasitic barnacle, Briarosaccus callosus, found on many species of king crabs.

August 20
Freshly-baited crab traps are lowered on a metal platform to the sea floor. (HR)

August 20
Deep-sea spider crabs, like this one, have long, spider-like legs and are a brilliant red. (HR)

August 20
Spider crab blood samples enable us to study hormone levels. (HR)

August 20
The external portion of an unusual, parasitic barnacle, Briarosaccus callosus, found on many species of king crabs.
Too big to fit in any of the sample boxes this sample would have to be brought to the surface locked in the Alvin’s mechanical arm. A large dead bamboo coral skeleton that was successfully collected by the Alvin. A fragile live specimen retrieved from the Alvin right after it surfaced. The gruesome task of cleaning the tissue and mucous off of a bamboo coral colony.

August 19
Too big to fit in any of the sample boxes, this sample was brought to the surface locked in the Alvin’s mechanical arm.

August 19
This large dead bamboo coral skeleton was successfully collected by the Alvin. (HR)

August 19
A fragile live specimen retrieved from the Alvin right after it surfaced. (HR)

August 19
The gruesome task of cleaning the tissue and mucus off of a bamboo coral colony. (HR)
Sampling lava flows on land is far more straightforward. Schematic diagram of the DSV Alvin. This image is a cross sectional view through a fractured pillow basalt. The claw and arm of Alvin grasping a “wedge” of pillow basalt.

August 18
Sampling lava flows on land is far more straightforward than sampling in the ocean. (HR)

August 18
Schematic diagram of the DSV Alvin. (HR)

August 18
This image is a cross sectional view through a fractured pillow basalt. (HR)

August 18
The Alvin's claw and arm, grasping a “wedge” of pillow basalt. (HR)
Oxygen concentration is extremely low at mid depths on seamounts. Acanthomastus (a soft coral) is thriving in waters with low oxygen. Crinoids, or sea lilies, are common inhabitants of seamounts. A sea spider or pycnogonid feeding on the body fluids of a coral.

August 17
Oxygen concentration is extremely low at mid depths on seamounts.

August 17
Acanthomastus (a soft coral) is thriving in waters with low oxygen.

August 17
Crinoids, or sea lilies, are common inhabitants of seamounts.

August 17
A sea spider, or pycnogonid, feeding on coral's body fluids.
A sea star feeding on coral.

August 17
A sea star feeds on coral.
A zoomed-in view of Paragorgia with polyps extended. The collected Paragorgia, ready for sample processing. A collection of tubes and jars from the processed Paragorgia colony.

August 16
A zoomed-in view of Paragorgia, with polyps extended. (HR)

August 16
The collected Paragorgia, ready for sample processing. (HR)

August 16
A collection of tubes and jars from the processed Paragorgia colony. (HR)
Glass sponges grow in many shapes and sizes in the deep ocean. The glass sponge, Farrea occa, from about 750 meters depth at Welker Seamount. A unique vase-like sponge, nicknamed ‘Bill Clinton’.

August 12
Glass sponges grow in many shapes and sizes in the deep ocean.

August 12
The glass sponge, Farrea occa, from about 750 m depth at Welker Seamount.

August 12
A unique vase-like sponge, nicknamed "Bill Clinton."
Scientist collects mucus from a large bamboo coral specimen. Bamboo coral specimen with mucus clearly visible. A Galatheid crab, or pinch bug, on a bamboo coral.

August 10
A scientist collects mucus from a large bamboo coral specimen. (HR)

August 10
Bamboo coral specimen with mucus clearly visible. (HR)

August 10
A galatheid crab, or pinch bug, on a bamboo coral.
A curious black-footed Albatross circles the Atlantis. Many different creatures use deep-sea corals as habitat. A sample jar from the Alvin full or invertebrates. Dr. Tom Shirley removes an organism from a piece of basalt.

August 9
A curious black-footed albatross circles the R/V Atlantis.

August 9
Many different creatures use deep-sea corals as habitat.

August 9
A sample jar from the Alvin, filled with invertebrates. (HR)

August 9
Dr. Tom Shirley removes an organism from a piece of basalt. (HR)
A black legged albatross flyies close to the ster of the Atlantis at sunset. The CTD rosette is brought back on deck after having taken water samples and a profile of the water column.

August 9
A black-footed albatross flies close to the stern of the Atlantis at sunset.

August 9
The CTD rosette is brought back on deck after having taken water samples and a profile of the water column. (HR)
Talking to the students at UCAP. Scientist answer UCAP students’ questions while the call is also being videotaped. Remembering old times while talking to the director and teachers at UCAP.

August 7
Talking to the students at UCAP.

August 7
Scientist answer UCAP students’ questions, while the call is videotaped.

August 7
A former student remembers old times, talking to the director and teachers at UCAP.
Rocks coated with hardened manganese deposits. Scientist use a hand lens to study a billet, or tabul.

August 6
Rocks coated with hardened manganese deposits. (HR)

August 6
A scientist uses a hand lens to study a billet, or tabul.
Catalina Martinez enters the DSV Alvin for her first dive. Multibeam image of Denson Seamount looking approximately NW. Jason Chaytor shines a flashlight out the porthole to assist Alvin pilot. Strange transparent sea cucumber on Denson Seamount.

August 5
Catalina Martinez enters the DSV Alvin for her first dive.

August 5
Multibeam image of Denson Seamount, looking approximately NW. (HR)

August 5
Jason Chaytor shines a flashlight out the porthole to assist Alvin pilot. (HR)

August 5
A strange transparent sea cucumber on Denson Seamount. (HR)
Meter tall stalked sponge along with a tiny shrimp viewed from Alvin porthole. A spectacular sunset and rainbow that lasted late into the evening.

August 5
Meter-tall stalked sponge, with a tiny shrimp, viewed from the Alvin porthole. (HR)

August 5
A spectacular sunset and rainbow that lasted late into the evening.
The Swan Surveyor depicting the R/V Atlantis (far right) mapping a section of the ocean floor. The pre-dawn deployment of the XTB. Rachel Teasedale, pre-dawn XTB data check.

August 4
The Swan Surveyor depicting the R/V Atlantis (far right) mapping a section of the ocean floor. (HR)

August 4
The pre-dawn deployment of the XTB.

August 4
Rachel Teasdale at pre-dawn XTB data check.
Carey and Patrick scan the horizon in the Gulf of Alaska Patrick Neumann, watching and learning from Eddy Estaniel. Patrick hard at work

August 2
Carey DeLauder and Patrick Neumann scan the Gulf of Alaska horizon.

August 2
Patrick Neumann watches and learns from Eddy Estaniel.

August 2
Patrick Neumann hard at work.
Captain Margaret, Mitzi Crane. The Seattle skyline as seen from Puget Sound. The snow-covered peaks of Vancouver, Canada. Naomi Ward reviews Alvin dive procedures.

July 31
Captain Margaret "Mitzi" Crane.

July 31
The Seattle skyline as seen from Puget Sound.

July 31
The snow-covered peaks of Vancouver, Canada.

July 31
Naomi Ward reviews Alvin dive procedures. (HR)
Nicolas Alverado hits a winner at the ping pong table.

July 31
Nicolás Alvarado hits a winner at the ping pong table.


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