Franz
Anthony
Editor and Artist
Between April and July 2016, the U.S. ship Okeanos Explorer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will carry a group of scientists to explore areas in and around the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
This study is expected to provide information to support science and management needs, while exploring various deepwater environments such as bottomfish habitats, hydrothermal vents, mud volcanoes, deep-sea coral and sponge communities, seamounts, subduction zone and trench areas.
On their fourth dive, April 24th, to Enigma Seamount, the team’s video camera recorded a brightly colored jellyfish at about 3,700 meters (12,140’) under the surface. The hydromedusa, identified to be a member of the genus Crossota, has two sets of tentacles which movements suggest that it’s an ambush predator. This video is among many other media files the team have published so far in their daily updates. The NOAA has also set up a live video streaming for viewers at home to watch.
Original findings published in NOAA 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas Daily Updates.
