On May 7, 2025, the Ocean Exploration Trust exploration vessel Nautilus sets sail on its first expedition of 2025 to explore the ocean surrounding the Mariana Islands. This region is largely shaped by the forces of plate tectonics, with some of the oldest seafloor on the planet being driven into the Mariana Trench (the deepest ocean trench) and then remelted to bubble up as magma, forming a chain of volcanic islands and subsea volcanoes. West of the Mariana Islands, there are more than 60 underwater volcanoes and a complex back-arc spreading center where new seafloor is created. Here, active hydrothermal vents support life in extreme conditions, where unique biology derives energy from the chemicals in vent fluids, rather than most life on Earth that relies on photosynthesis to thrive.
Using the remotely-operated-vehicle Hercules and Orpheus Ocean’s Orpheus autonomous underwater vehicle, the team will explore deep-sea areas, including those prioritized by the local management and science community, including sites with signatures of active volcanism, abyssal plain habitats and areas in and around the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. This 22-day expedition is supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and US Geological Survey via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute.
Image Credit: Ocean Exploration Trust
