The latest photographs attached are from the Cayman Rise exploration executed on August 30^th 2013.

A dive which began with hydrothermal vents did not let up in its excitement. We found numerous exciting examples of geology and biology all along our final dive of the leg. We were exploring the south slope of Mt. Dent and along with the amazing hydrothermal venting, found lots of exceptional rock samples and great images of biology living along the slope. –

See more at: http://www.nautiluslive.org/album/2013/08/30/dive-highlights-august-30th-2013#sthash.y1TMxqFs.dpuf

From June through November of 2013, Exploration Vessel Nautilus has and will explore the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Our rotating Corps of Exploration aboard EV Nautilus will be mapping the geological, biological, archaeological and chemical aspects of these regions to depths of approximately 2000 meters. During the expedition, we will be sharing our discoveries live on the web via telepresence technology, putting the unexplored ocean directly in your hands via our new interactive initiative, Exploration Now.

2013 Expedition Calendar

Ecosystem Impacts of Oil and Gas Inputs to the Gulf June 21, 2013 to July 4, 2013

Natural Hydrocarbon Detection Mapping July 8, 2013 to July 17, 2013

Shipwreck 15577 July 17, 2013 to July 25, 2013

Natural Hydrocarbon Detection ROV/AUV July 28, 2013 to August 12, 2013

Galveston to Cayman Transit August 13, 2013 to August 18, 2013

Cayman Rise August 19, 2013 to August 30, 2013

Greater Antilles October 4, 2013 to October 17, 2013

Impact of Volcanic Eruptions on the Seafloor October 21, 2013 to October 28, 2013

Kick’em Jenny & Trinidad Tar Seeps November 1, 2013 to November 16, 2013

The 2013 expedition season consists of multiple cruise legs and will begin off the U.S. coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Subsequent cruise legs will bring the ship and the Nautilus Corps of Exploration to the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Montserrat, Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean Sea. Our Corps of Exploration will also join researchers in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Turkey aboard the Bodrum.

E/V Nautilus is a 211-foot research vessel equipped with state-of-the-art exploration and telepresence technology. Our primary remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) on board, named Hercules and Argus, will be used to view the seafloor with high definition video, take environmental measurements and collect geological and biological samples. Our brand new hull-mounted multibeam system will be utilizing side-scan and subbottom sonar technology to explore the seafloor and seek out compelling targets for closer investigation and study.

Dr. Robert Ballard and Dr. Katherine Croff Bell of the Ocean Exploration Trust lead the Nautilus Corps of Exploration, which includes a rotating team of more than 150 scientists, engineers, educators and students as they explore these poorly understood regions of the world’s oceans. All of the video and data that we collect will be transmitted via satellite to the Inner Space Center, located at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, where Dr. Ballard is a professor of oceanography. From this “mission control,” our video feeds from the ship and under the sea will be broadcast live on the internet so that anyone in the world can join our Corps of Exploration from home and be a part of the exploration as it happens.

The 2013 Nautilus Exploration Program is made possible through partnerships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) Bechtel, Sea Research Foundation, National Geographic Society, Office of Naval Research, and the University of Rhode Island.

To watch the latest videos go to:

http://www.nautiluslive.org/videos