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Eleven new Alvin divers!

In August, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsored three days of engineering dives with human-occupied vehicle Alvin off the coast of San Diego, California. The vehicle team and crew of R/V Atlantis took federal agency representatives from the National Science Foundation, ONR, NAVSEA, Office of Management and Budget, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and WHOI leadership on a short expedition to demonstrate the intricate operations and rigorous protocols that enable safe scientific submersible operations.

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The Maverick Design Choices That May Have Doomed Titan

Submersibles must withstand the deep ocean’s crushing pressures, which squeeze with equal force from all sides. At Titanic’s depth – two and a half miles down – every square inch of a submersible experiences three tons of pressure. A spherical hull distributes the stress evenly, making it the best shape for resisting the compressive forces…

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Scientists using HOV Alvin aboard R/V Atlantis discover pristine deep-sea coral reefs in the Galápagos Marine Reserve

HOV Alvin’s manipulator arm collects samples from rocky outcrop at the crest of a ridge, populated by cold water corals, squat lobsters, anemones, basket stars and deep-sea fish. Credit: Image courtesy of L. Robinson (U. Bristol), D. Fornari (WHOI), M. Taylor (U. Essex), D. Wanless (Boise State U.) NSF/NERC/HOV Alvin/WHOI MISO Facility, 2023 ©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Scientists have discovered extensive, ancient deep-sea coral reefs within the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR)—the first of their kind ever to be documented inside the marine protected area (MPA) since it was established in 1998. The reef, found at 400-600 meters (1,310-1,970 feet) depth at the summit of a previously unmapped seamount in the central part of the archipelago, supports a breathtaking mix of deep marine life.

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