Year
2022–2023
Operation Area
Bering Sea, Pacific Ocean
Purpose
Exploration and seafloor mapping of this region has the potential to unlock new opportunities for conservation, climate science, and the Blue Economy. This mission was designed to test the limits of Saildrone Surveyor-class vehicles for remote ocean mapping and environmental sampling.
SD-1200 also carried an environmental DNA (eDNA) sensor from the Monteray Bay Aquarium and Research Institute (MBARI) to collect data about marine biodiversity and ocean health.
Results
For 52 days between August and October, the Surveyor mapped 4,738 square nautical miles (6,276 square miles) of unknown seafloor around the Aleutian Islands. Mission collaborators were able to follow the data collection in real time. Preliminary data revealed unprecedented detail of the Aleutian arc seafloor, including previously unknown structures, some of which indicate potential hydrothermal vents.
The Surveyor mapped an additional 8,665 square nautical miles (11,474 square miles) of the US EEZ and discovered a previously unknown seamount standing approximately 1,000 meters (3,200 feet) high from the seabed.
