Tuesday, 29 October 2024
-- Advertisement --
Liberty Club Level3 Divers24

Voyage to the Ridge 2022 - exploring the ocean depths

Listen to this article NOAA, together with partners, will conduct a series of research expeditions as part of the Voyage to the Ridge 2022 project. Between May and September, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA will carry out a series of three expeditions. Their aim will be to explore and study
Published: July 15, 2022 - 09:00
Updated: July 23, 2023 - 01:03
Voyage to the Ridge 2022 – exploring the ocean depths
Listen to this article

NOAA, together with partners, will conduct a series of research expeditions as part of the Voyage to the Ridge 2022 project.

-- Advertisement --

Between May and September, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA will carry out a series of three expeditions. Their aim will be to explore and study the ocean depths using the advanced equipment at their disposal. As usual, the scientific team will set off aboard the research vessel Okeanos Explorer.

North Atlantic Ridge Voyage to the Ridge 2022

In particular, the researchers will focus on ocean depth mapping and exploration using a remotely operated robotic ROV. During the expeditions, the science team will collect baseline information on unexplored and poorly understood areas of the Charlie-Gibbs Rift Zone, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Azores Plateau.

Located at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge stretches for an impressive 16,000 km. It is the longest mountain range in the world and one of the most visible geological features on Earth. Interestingly, most of it is actually underwater. Therefore, much of it remains largely unexplored.

Hydrothermal vents on the Atlantic seabed
Hydrothermal vents on the Atlantic seabed

Of particular interest to researchers are the spectacular hydrothermal vents. These can form where magma provides heat as it escapes to the seafloor. It is now known that these holes support a variety of chemosynthetic communities. However, to date, we know little about life in these places once the holes die out or what life is found outside the holes, further away from the rift zone.

The researchers’ task during Voyage to the Ridge 2022 will be to fill some of the gaps in our knowledge. The researchers also want to increase our understanding of the geological context of the region and of past and future geohazards. Another important aspect is to learn about the diversity and distribution of coral and sponge communities. The NOAA science team wants to learn how populations of deep-sea species are related to each other in this region and throughout the deep Atlantic basin.

Follow the researchers’ progress live

From 9 to 30 July, NOAA is conducting a mapping and exploration operation using an ROV system. The aim is to explore the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Azores Plateau. The progress of the work can be followed live via a YouTube Live broadcast.

ROV-assisted dives include exploration of depths from 250 to 6,000 metres. During this time, scientists expect to explore deep-sea coral and sponge habitats, potential hydrothermal vent and extinct polymetallic sulphide systems, rift and rift zones and the water column.


Professional diving is a topic that certainly interests many people. You can read about how to become a professional diver and find a job in Poland in the 18th issue the DIVERS24 quarterly magazine! Digital version of the magazine is available free of charge, while the printed version you can purchase in our online shop.

Other posts
Tags: noaa
Share:
Facebook
Telegram
LinkedIn
Twitter
Pinterest
WhatsApp

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis
Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.
-- Advertisement --
technical diver tuna hastberg mine
-- Advertisement --
Level3 Club CCR Divers24
Recent post
Halcyon's Global Vision steered from the Polish HQ
ACROSS MALDIVES 2025: A RECORD DIVE ATTEMPT
Diving Talks 2024: Join the Conversation from Home
Ghost Diving Poland - Protecting the Baltic Sea
Shipwrecks as Artificial Reefs: Ecological Roles and Impacts
Operation Ghost Farms to reclaim wasters of western Greece
You haven't read yet
Halcyon's Global Vision steered from the Polish HQ
ACROSS MALDIVES 2025: A RECORD DIVE ATTEMPT
Diving Talks 2024: Join the Conversation from Home
Thermal Comfort with the New Santi BZ420X Undersuit
Let's nominate the best in Diving at Baltictech 2024
Ghost Diving Poland - Protecting the Baltic Sea

Search...

The Divers24 portal is currently the largest online medium treating diving in Poland. Since 2010 we have been providing interesting and important information from Poland and around the world on all forms of diving and related activities.

Contact us: info@divers24.com