Seamount we mapped on the return voyage to Honolulu. This Mountain in the Deep rose approximately 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) from the sea floor - a fitting end to this spectacular journey!

Seamount we mapped on the return voyage to Honolulu. This "Mountain in the Deep" rose approximately 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) from the seafloor – a fitting end to this spectacular journey! Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Mountains in the Deep: Exploring the Central Pacific Basin. Download larger version (jpg, 428 KB).

The last sunset during the Mountains in the Deep: Exploring the Central Pacific Basin expedition aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

Two homolid crabs were observed holding claws at around 757 meters depth. It was unclear whether this was potentially aggressive or pre-mating behavior. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Mountains in the Deep: Exploring the Central Pacific Basin. Download larger version (jpg, 5.1 MB).

Still in Transit
May 17-18, 2017

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer continued to head towards Honolulu, Hawaii. We persevered through challenging weather conditions – gusting wind and big seas for several days. Our mapping team continues to collect data. Building upon our previous data, our track line going north to Honolulu is adjacent to our previous track line from our southbound expedition in January. By collecting data over unmapped areas, we expand our knowledge about the Central Pacific Basin. On the night of May 17, we went directly over a seamount that rose up ~3,000 meters (9,840 feet) from the abyssal plain. A true "Mountain in the Deep," the peak sat at ~2,500 meters (8,200 feet) depth. Finally, on May 18, we woke up to beautiful, calm day. We hosted our second Facebook Live event with our Mapping and Remotely Operated Vehicle Teams. Again, we received some great questions from our Facebook followers. We aslo conducted multibeam testing to help ensure optimal performance for future expeditions. All of our teams had a lot to do in preparation for arriving in port tomorrow. We are also getting organized for dry dock.