Ring of Fire Expedition
Expedition to various points in the Pacific Ocean.
Dive Series 1
Challenger Deep June 5 – 15
Dr Kathy Sullivan, the first woman to the bottom of Challenger Deep
Three additional dives to the “Eastern Pool” of Challenger Deep
First 4K video recording of Challenger Deep
Extensive topological and ecological survey
Dive Series 2
Challenger Deep June 17 – 28
Descent of Kelly Walsh, Dr. Don Walsh’ son, to the bottom of the Western Pool of Challenger Deep – 60 years after has father did it
Three additional dives into Challenger Deep including the Western, Central and Eastern Pools
Further topographical and marine life survey of the entire Challenger Deep for a cumulative total in 2020 of eight dives, all piloted by Victor Vescovo.
Extensive topological and ecological survey
On our latest dive, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution research scientist Dr. Ying-Tsong “Y.-T.” Lin became, not only the first person born in Taiwan to go to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, but also the first from the Asian continent to do so.
One of many challenges we faced with the Ring of Fire expedition was planning and launching in the midst of a pandemic. Check out the steps we took to keep our entire crew safe.
Part of the rationale for our expeditions is to develop very deep-water ocean technologies such as our camera system which allowed us to capture the first-ever 4k footage of Challenger Deep at a depth of 10,925m.
Scientific Lander Series
Northern Mariana Trench June 29 – July 26
First multiple lander descents to the Nero, Tinian, Saipan and Rota Deeps in the Northern Mariana Trench
Extensive scientific research across different depths and locations
Continued deep-water multibeam mapping for NOAA priority areas
Scientific Lander Series overview with Dr Alan Jamieson
The Supergiant amphipod (Alicella gigantea) at 5000m in the Mariana Trench, Nero Deep.
Here are a few of abyssal deep sea fish from 5800m in the northern Mariana trench, the first and last are cuck eels (Ophidiidae), the other is a grenadier (Macrouridae)
At 7200m in the Mariana trench the numbers of prawns at this site was surprisingly high. The Mariana snailfish does a nice fly-by at the end.
At 6600m in the Mariana Trench the Mariana snailfish and penaeid prawns enjoy a day out in an area of interesting geology.
A small grenadier (Coryphaenoides yaquinae) feeds at the bait and gets harassed by a cusk eel at 5000m in the Mariana Trench, Nero Deep.
The robust assfish, Bassozetus robustus filmed suction feeding amphipods at 6400 metres deep in Black Hole.
Here are a few of abyssal deep sea fish from 5800m in the northern Mariana trench, the first and last are cuck eels (Ophidiidae), the other is a grenadier (Macrouridae).
The cusk eel Barathrites iris scavenges bait at 6350m, 1000m deeper than previous though.
The deep water prawn Benthesicymus crenatus preys upon amphipods in Black Hole, including an impressive escape response at the end.
Collection of B-Roll footage from the Scientific Lander Series of the Ring of Fire Expedition.
Deep Ocean Mapping
“Ring of Fire” Trenches July 26 – August 28
Continued extensive mapping of previously unmapped seafloors in the Japan, Kamchatka, and Aleutian Islands Trenches
Cross the threshold of over one million square kilometers of new multibeam mapping since early 2019
End this phase of the Ring of Fire expedition in Hawaii for ships and sub maintenance and refit
