On June 30, 2021 MBARI and MBNMS dove behind the scenes of their expedition to Sur Ridge during the inaugural “Live from the Deep” virtual event. See footage of the deep seafloor and listen as the public asked experts from MBARI, MBNMS (including our own Research Coordinator Dr. Andrew DeVogelaere), and Monterey Bay Aquarium their questions, and find out what it’s really like to have a career exploring the deep ocean.
Sur Ridge is a deep rocky outcrop off the coast of central California that rises 500 meters (1,640 feet) above the seafloor and supports gardens of deep-sea corals and sponges. Over the past decade, MBARI and MBNMS have partnered to explore and study this remarkable underwater oasis and better understand the growing impacts of climate change on the lush corals and sponges discovered there. Working aboard the R/V Western Flyer, researchers use a suite of state-of-the-art marine technology, including cameras, high-resolution mapping tools, and the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts, to learn more about the countless mysteries that exist in the deep sea.
MBNMS and MBARI researchers are exploring Sur Ridge and the “octopus garden” at Davidson Seamount from June 27 to July 2, 2021.