Caribbean-Led Expedition Explores Deep Sea Offshore Trinidad and Tobago
Marine scientists from Trinidad and Tobago recently conducted the first locally led and most comprehensive deep-sea survey of the islands’ surrounding ocean during an expedition aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too). During the month-long expedition in July, the team located over 25 active cold seeps, discovered 20 suspected new species, and mapped approximately 13% of the country’s marine territory.The potential new species include an octopus first discovered during a 2014 expedition, in which the expedition’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Diva Amon, participated. The
Snow Problem Too Big: A floating polar laboratory tackles Arctic research
On July 19, the Tara Polar Station, a drifting laboratory, departed from its homeport in Lorient, France to commence an 18-month Arctic expedition. As a year-round mission, the Tara Polaris I expedition was designed to explore the interconnectivity and seasonality of five components of the Arctic Ocean: atmosphere, snow, ice, biodiversity and the ocean itself. Tara Polaris I is just the first of multiple missions ongoing until 2046.The Tara Ocean Foundation was launched in 2003 by Agnès Troublé and son Étienne Bourgois to support marine research, educate on its importance, and
NOAA, Partners to Explore and Map Waters Around American Samoa
NOAA Ocean Exploration and its partners will conduct two expeditions in waters around American Samoa this summer and fall to map and characterize the deep seafloor in the nation’s highest-priority region for offshore critical mineral exploration. The expeditions will generate publicly available data and information to increase understanding of mineral potential, guide future exploration, and support federal and local decision-making.These expeditions will take place aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. The first will take place August through September 2026 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
Neste Supplies Diesel for Tara Ocean Foundation’s Central Arctic Ocean Expedition
The Tara Ocean Foundation, a French foundation dedicated to ocean conservation, will embark on the Tara Polaris 1 scientific expedition to the Arctic to continue its work of monitoring climate change and researching its impact on the ocean. The Tara Polar Station, the foundation’s drifting laboratory and observatory station, will be at sea for its first 18-month expedition during 2026-2027, starting a 20-year-long program in partnership with 30 renowned research institutes.Neste supports the Tara Ocean Foundation’s important work by supplying Neste MY Renewable Diesel to help reduce the
UKSR to Embark on 4th Mission to Survey Deep Sea Minerals
Minerals continues to build the integrated dataset required to advance toward commercial recovery and bring polymetallic nodules to market. The environmental data collected will contribute to ongoing efforts to understand and minimize the potential impacts of future nodule recovery. Findings from this expedition will be shared through peer-reviewed publications and public databases.In May 2026, Glomar Minerals announced Project Infinity, a consortium agreement with Cobalt Blue Holdings Limited to build a domestic critical minerals processing facility in the United States. Project Infinity, which has narrowed
Multidisciplinary Scientific Expedition Sets Sail July 10 Aboard the CCGS Amundsen
An international, multidisciplinary scientific expedition will set sail on July 10 aboard the Canadian research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen. Until November 25, research teams will conduct operations across several strategic regions of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, collecting samples and data to better understand the environmental and ecological changes affecting the North. The expedition will also help strengthen Canada's scientific presence in Arctic waters.Coordinated by Amundsen Science in partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard, this 139-day expedition will enable research teams to explore
Subsea Hydrothermal Vents Discovered in the Doldrums Region
Scientists on a 35-day research expedition onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) discovered two new hydrothermal vent fields in a region of the middle of the Atlantic Ocean known as the Doldrums Megatransform and Fracture Zone, which lies just north of the equator about 800 miles off the northeast coast of Brazil. This large, tectonically active system cuts across the world’s longest mountain chain, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. While many hydrothermal vents have been found along the ridge, these are the first known vent fields to be discovered in and around the Doldrums system.
Explorer to Attempt Solo Unassisted Nonstop Circumnavigation of the Arctic Ocean
samples that we will use to test NASA ocean models monitoring Arctic waters. By taking action and communicating the story of his journey, he can help us reach our hard-earned $250,000 fundraising goal, directly advancing our science mission during the United Nations–designated Ocean Decade."Expedition at a GlanceOfficial start line: Aasiaat, Greenland, approximately June 25, 2026Three-Phase Route: Greenland → Russian Arctic coast (Northern Sea Route) → Northwest Passage → Baffin Bay → AasiaatPhase one: From Greenland, south around its tip, then north above Iceland
Norway Deploys New Deep-Sea Mapping AUV on First Expedition
Norway has launched the first expedition of a newly acquired autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed to improve mapping and understanding of the country's deep-sea areas.The HUGIN Superior vehicle began operations in the northern Norwegian Sea earlier this month after being procured by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD) through funding provided by the Ministry of Energy in 2025.The deployment marks the first time Norway has access to its own advanced deep-sea mapping platform, a capability previously sourced through private contractors.“This is important for Norway. Now that we
August 2026
