Deep sea: Related Content

Using Light Painting to Teach Bioluminescence

What does a bioluminescent creature that lives more than two miles below the surface of the ocean and a glow stick have in common? More than you think. 

In a unique spin on an art technique called "light painting," you can create your own bioluminescent organisms with glow sticks in your classroom or home.  

Lanternfish

This lanternfish (Diaphus sp.), found in the Red Sea, has light-producing photophores along its ventral surface (belly), and a nasal light organ that acts like a headlight. Hear scientists tell stories about encountering bioluminescent marine animals in the deep sea.

Submersible Collects Deep-Sea Corals

Come along as scientist Dr. Brendan Roark narrates a submersible dive to collect and study deep-sea corals. Roark studies deep-sea corals to understand the history of the ocean and past ocean climates.

Scientists Conduct an ROV Dive

Auster and colleagues direct a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dive on the New England Seamounts. Three teams composed of three scientists and four ROV engineers take two 4-hour watches every day. During each dive the team decides on routes over the deep sea landscape, shoots video and still images to document coral communities and associated animals, and collects samples.

Orange Roughy and Bycatch

Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) is a deep ocean fish that grows and matures at a sluggish rate compared to most shallow water fish.  They don't reproduce until they are at least 20 years old and can reportedly live to well past 100 years.

In the last few decades fisherman have expanded their fishing territory into deeper waters, including the roughy's habitat.  Heavy fishing coupled with the fish's slow reproductive cycle put this fishery in serious decline.

Martha Nizinski: Hooked on Deep-Sea Corals

Nine years ago I was invited by a colleague to join a research team investigating deep-sea coral habitats. I was asked to examine the invertebrates associated with these ecosystems. After my first look, I was hooked! I was fascinated by the sheer beauty and complexity of these deep-sea environments. The diversity of species as well as their shapes, sizes, and colors are truly amazing.

Submersible and Deep-Sea Corals

Off the coast of North Carolina, Dr. Martha Nizinski and Johnson Sea Link pilot Phil Santos descend through the water column toward the target site. During this dive, Nizinski will observe and record the diversity of invertebrates found on, in, and around deep-sea corals. Video, photos, and specimens will be collected.

Coral Scientist Brendan Roark: On an Urgent Mission

Deep-sea coral beds are true biodiversity hotspots. It’s urgent that we study these extreme environments because we know so little about them, because they are important communities for so many deep-sea creatures, and because they are so susceptible to human activities.

Pisces IV Submersible

The Pisces IV submersible sits on a saddle near Kingman Reef in Hawaii next to a gold coral (Gerardia sp.).

Training Future Scientists

Dr.

Primnoid Coral

The branches of a primnoid coral in the genus Calyptrophora provide a habitat for galathaoid crabs. Learn more about the deep-sea coral reefs in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Amy Baco-Taylor, Deep-Sea Coral Scientist

Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor dives to deep-sea environments to study corals and the invertebrates that live in them.

Johnson-Sea-Link Submersible

The Johnson-Sea-Link submersible launches to study cold-water corals off Florida in 2009. Explore more the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea." 

Lophelia pertusa Colony

This colony of Lophelia pertusa was photographed from the Mingulay Reef Complex off Scotland in 2005. Learn more about the deep-sea coral reefs in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Corals in the Juan de Fuca Canyon and the Davidson Seamount

Discover some amazing corals in this footage that shows and identifies a range of deep-sea coral species from the Juan de Fuca Canyon off the Olympic coast and the Davidson Seamount, an underwater volcano outside the boundary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in the Pacific Ocean. Explore more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

New Protection for Deep-sea Corals

In July 2010, NOAA established eight deep-sea coral habitat areas of particular concern (C-HAPCs) in the South Atlantic region. Highlighted on the map, these areas were selected because deep-sea coral colonies live there—or are suspected to live there.

Possession of deep-sea corals is prohibited within the C-HAPCs. Deep-sea corals living in these areas are also protected by the following restrictions:

Prohibited fishing gear

Dr. Sylvia Earle

Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, is known as ‘Her Deepness” and was Time Magazine’s first “Hero for the Planet”. An oceanographer, explorer and author, Dr. Earle was former Chief Scientist of NOAA, founder of the Mission Blue Foundation and chair of the Advisory Council for the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. Her research concerns marine ecosystems with special reference to exploration and the development and use of new technologies for access and effective operations in the deep sea and other remote environments.

Searching for Crustaceans in the Deep Sea

In this video Smithsonian research zoologist Dr. Martha Nizinski takes viewers with her as she searches for crustaceans in the deep sea. She's particularly interested in finding squat lobsters, which despite their name, are actually crabs. On this dive in the waters off Curaçao, she discovers some living on a sunken piece of wood.

Sea Toad

This fish belongs to a group of anglerfishes known as lophiiformes. This species, along with other anglerfishes, has a modified dorsal-fin spine, usually on the tip of the snout, which serves as a lure for capturing prey. Researchers with the Smithsonian's Deep Reef Observation Project snapped this photo while on a collecting expedition in a submersible.

Rough Going for Orange Roughy

In the dark, cold waters 600 meters (nearly 2000 feet) below the ocean's surface, things happen slowly. Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus), deep ocean fish that were once known as "slimeheads" because of the mucous-producing canals on their heads, grow and mature at a sluggish rate compared to most shallow water fish. They don't reproduce until they are at least 20 years old and can reportedly live to be 149.

Cave Basslet

Smithsonian researchers collected a cave basslet (Liopropoma mowbrayi) from the deep reefs of Curaçao, in the southern Caribbean. They used a state-of-the-art submersible to obtain the specimen. The investigations are part of the Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP).

Valuable in so Many Ways

CREDIT: HBOI A Cure for What Ails You?

Technology Lights the Way

CREDIT: Bathymetry map by Seafloor Systems, Inc. Image credit: A. Maness Mapping Deep-Sea Corals

 Using a technique known as multibeam sonar, ocean scientists working at the surface can now create 3-D maps of the ocean floor below. These detailed images enable scientists to locate areas where deep-sea corals might be found and to learn more about the conditions under which these corals live.

Newly Discovered Deep-Sea Corals

It's a new age of discovery for scientists studying deep-sea corals.

Diversity of Deep-Sea Corals

Sample the surprising diversity of deep-sea corals. See some of the ways they differ in color, shape, and size. Explore more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

New Soft Coral

Discovered in 2004 and named in 2009, this Gersemia juliepackardae coral has been spotted and collected at several seamounts in the northeast Pacific Ocean at depths of 500-2,000 m (1,640-6,562 ft). Learn about more deep-sea discoveries in our Deep-sea Corals article.

New Genus of Bamboo Coral

Found 1,751 m (5,745 ft) below the surface of Hawaii’s waters in 2007, this orange bamboo coral is 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft) tall. It is thought to represent a new genus. Learn about more deep-sea discoveries in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Corals at the Smithsonian

Smithsonian zoologist Dr. Steve Cairns named and described this deep-sea coral species, Stephanocyathus paliferus, which is now preserved in the collections of the National Museum of Natural History. The specimens will contribute to future research about deep sea corals. Collection cards record where and at what depths this particular species lives. Learn more about how ocean scientists study deep-sea corals in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Growth Experiment

New, white growth emerges from a living deep-sea coral sample that was stained pink, enabling ocean scientists to measure its coral growth rate. Find out more about how ocean scientists study deep-sea corals in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Sample Close-up

Marine scientists photographed and measured this gorgonian coral (Chrysogorgia sp.) and deep-sea shrimp (Bathypalaemonella sp.) just as they were collected—together. Find out how ocean scientists study deep-sea corals in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Submersible with Coral Samples

The Johnson-Sea-Link submersible reaches the ocean’s surface with a specimen of Keratoisis bamboo coral inside its collection box. Find out how ocean scientists study deep-sea corals in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Red Coral

A fan-shaped colony of red coral (Corallium sp.) on the Davidson Seamount provides a perch for three basket stars as they feed. See more pictures of coral in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Sea Whip Coral

The pink strands of this single deep-sea coral harbor a variety of marine life. Sea whips are gorgonian corals and have flexible skeletons. See more pictures of coral in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Black Corals

Black corals, like this one growing on the Manning Seamount off the New England coast, often resemble bushes or trees. Contrary to its name, the living tissue of black coral can be one of several colors. It’s the skeleton that is black. See more pictures of coral in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Coral Thicket with Lobster

A thicket of white stony coral (Lophelia pertusa) shelters a squat lobster (Eumunida picta). This is the typical shape of this widespread species of deep-sea coral. See more pictures of coral in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Diverse Deep-Sea Coral Community

A diversity of deep-sea corals—including primnoid coral (Narella sp.), black coral (Trissopathes pseudtristicha), and feather stars (Florometra serratissima)—flourish 2,669 m (8,757 ft) deep on the pristine Davidson Seamount off the coast of California. Explore more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

Protected Deep-sea Corals

These deep-sea corals at the Madison-Swanson Marine Reserve in the Gulf of Mexico are protected, along with the marine life they harbor. Learn more about deep-sea corals and marine protected areas in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Undisturbed vs. Trawled Reef

The Oculina deep-sea coral reef at top has not been disturbed by humans. Trawling has devastated the one at bottom. Only about 10 percent of Oculina habitat remains intact. Learn more about vulnerable deep-sea corals in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

Treated Cancer Cells

These cancer cells have been treated with discodermolide, a chemical obtained from a sponge that grows on deep-sea coral reefs. It prevents the cells from dividing and spreading. Learn more about the many benefits of deep-sea corals in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

How old is black coral?

This deep-sea black coral from Hawaii (Leiopathes sp.) is more than 4,200 years old.

Coral Growth Rings

Ultraviolet light illuminates the growth rings in a cross-section of a 44-year-old Primnoa resedaformis deep-sea coral collected off the coast of Newfoundland in about 400 m (1,312 ft) of water. Similar to tree trunks, cross-sections reveal coral-growth rings that can be used to determine their age.

Manning Seamount Coral Colony

A variety of deep-sea corals and associated marine organisms colonize the rocky surface of Manning Seamount, part of the New England Seamount Chain located in the Atlantic Ocean several hundred miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Deep-Sea Camera

Lights attached to this modern deep-sea camera system enable scientists to capture detailed images of deep-sea coral reefs and their inhabitants in otherwise dark water.

Submersible Launch

The Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory’s Pisces V submersible is lowered for a dive to study deep-sea corals. Learn more about research into deep-sea corals in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."  

Deep-Sea Coral Reef Map

This 3-D colored map of Chapman’s Reef—a deep-sea coral reef near Florida—was produced in 2005 with multibeam sonar technology from an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Explore more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

Collecting Deep-Sea Crabs

A robotic arm on the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible retrieves Galatheid crabs for research. Growing in the background is a species of the deep-sea coral Lophelia. Explore more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."  

Research Submersible

Ocean scientists safely travel to deep-sea coral ecosystems up to 3,000 m (9,843 ft) below the ocean’s surface inside the Johnson-Sea-Link, a submersible owned and operated by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. Explore more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

Aleutian Coral Reef #2

Several species of deep-sea corals form an underwater garden off the coast of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. Read more about deep-sea coral reefs in our Deep-sea Corals article.

Deep-Sea Corals Worldwide

This map shows where some of the most significant species of deep-sea corals are located. Learn more about the distribution and ecology of deep ocean corals in the article "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

Aleutian Coral Reef

Several species of deep-sea corals form a garden 165 m (540 ft) below the ocean’s surface off the coast of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. Explore more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea." 

Red Paper Lantern Jellyfish: One Species at a Time

The Encyclopedia of Life and Atlantic Public Media bring us a new installment of the podcast, One Species at a Time. Vacuumed up from its habitat a mile down in the ocean, the red paper lantern jelly may not look like much. Mostly water, it’s so fragile that once brought to the surface it’s reduced to a tattered blob in a jar. But this unassuming jellyfish has lessons for scientists.

Submarine Volcanoes and Hydrothermal Vents

Recent scientific discoveries have revealed an underwater community of marine animals and other organisms that thrive in the dark depths of the ocean near hydrothermal vents and undersea volcanoes. This ocean ecosystem is dependent on the presence of hydrothermal vents, which release hot and mineral-rich fluids from the seafloor.

Explore other NOAA Ocean Today videos that capture the beauty and mystery of the ocean.

Coral Forests of the Deep Ocean

Corals are not only found in shallow tropical waters, but in cold, dark, deep areas of the sea. Amazing coral forests are found at depths of 60-3,050 meters (200-10,00 feet). They support an abundance of marine life but are in peril from threats such as ocean acidification and bottom trawl fishing. Learn more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."

Sea star, Captured by ROV

A sea star , Hymenaster pellucidus, brought up from a benthic ROV dive. View the “Under Arctic Ice” photo essay to learn more.

Deep-Sea Cnidarian

A cnidarian brought up from the Arctic seafloor more than 2000 meters (6562 feet) deep.

Deep-Sea Amphipod

Lanceola clausi, the bull-dog amphipod, another rare deep-water species captured below 1000 meters (3281 feet) with the multinet. View the “Under Arctic Ice” photo essay to learn more.

Arctic Amphipod

This species of amphipod, Eusirus holmii, was found both at the surface of Arctic waters and as deep as 2000 meters (6562 feet).  Researchers have found that while the amphipod inhabits the sea ice, the water column, and the sea floor, it is generally found in deep-basin waters.

Deep-Water Larvacean, or “Sea-Tadpole”

In the icy waters of the Arctic, a deep-water larvacean (aka “sea tadpole” because it looks like a tadpole) drifts through the water in its 'house.' This house is made of protein and creates almost a shell around the larvacean and helps to filter particles out of the water for the larvacean to eat.

Hydrothermal Vent Creatures

Travel to a world of perpetual night--the deep ocean hydrothermal vents near the Galapagos Rift where life thrives around superheated water spewing from deep inside the Earth. Discovered only in 1977, hydrothermal vents are home to dozens of previously unknown species.

A Shortnose Greeneye Fish Aglow

Under white light, this shortnose greeneye fish (Chlorophthalmus agassizi) looks unimpressive. But, in dim blue light—the type usually seen at depth—it shows its true fluorescent colors.

NOAA scientists collected this specimen during a 2004 expedition for optical studies.  The scientists believe the green flouresence of the fish’s eye lenses help it detect prey better in dimly lit water. 

Blackdevil Fish

Blackdevil fish (Melanocetus johnsonii) are quintessential monsters from the deep. The female lurks in the dark, drawing in prey with her glowing lure, while the male attaches to her like a blood-sucking parasite. Females can swallow prey larger than their own bodies.

Blob Sculpin

The ghoulish “blob sculpin” (Psychrolutes phrictus), a deepwater fish found off the Pacific coast of the U.S. from the Bering Sea to Southern California, can grow to about 70 cm (more than two feet) in length and eats small invertebrates.

Bignose Fish

This mysterious deep sea creature, which has an unusual bulge on its snout, grows to only about 68 mm (2.7 in) long. It lives deep in the ocean, like the whalefish.

Meet the Suspects

CREDIT: Chris Kenaley The Mystery Develops

Flash forward to 1956, when scientists described another new kind of fish. It was named the tapetail because of its long, streamer-like tail. It also had a large upturned mouth.

Unlike the whalefish, the tapetail was found living near the ocean’s surface. And there was something very curious about this sea creature: Every single one of the 120 tapetail specimens scientists studied was a larva or juvenile.

Where were all the adults?

Big Red Jellyfish

Marine biologists from MBARI nicknamed this startlingly large jellyfish—which grows over one meter (three feet) in diameter—"big red." It would be hard to miss, except that it lives at depths of 650 to 1,500 meters (2,000 to 4,800 feet). Big red uses four to seven fleshy "feeding arms" instead of stinging tentacles to capture food and has been observed off the west coast of North America, Baja California, Hawaii, and Japan.

Atolla Jellyfish from the Waters of Japan

The ROV Hyper Dolphin caught this deep-sea jelly (Atolla wyvillei) on film east of Izu-Oshina Island, Japan. When attacked, it uses bioluminescence to "scream" for help—an amazing light show known as a burglar alarm display. Visit the Encyclopedia of Life to learn more about these wild jellies.

A Mosaic of Ocean Habitats: A Video by National Geographic and the Census of Marine Life

From the open ocean to coastal tidepools, from the fantastic to the familiar, a mosaic of marine habitats provides homes, feeding and spawning grounds, and seasonal destinations for ocean species. Census of Marine Life scientists studied these habitats and the creatures that call them home, in a ten-year inventory of the sea.  Explore some of the habitats that they studied in this video.

Riftia Worms: One Species at a Time

In this episode of the Podcast of Life, host Ari Daniel Shapiro dives deep to discover a white worm as tall as your refrigerator that breathes through bright red feathery "lips." This isn’t a creature from outer space. Meet Riftia, a tube worm that lives in deep-sea vents, and learn the surprising lessons this denizen of the abyss is teaching scientists about life on Earth.

Grimpoteuthis - Dumbo octopod

This small octopod was observed along the north wall of Soquel Canyon in Monterey Bay. Also known as the "Dumbo octopod," the Grimpoteuthis is a benthic mollusc found on the ocean floor at depths of 300-400 meters (984-1312 ft). Dumbo octopods, which can grow to up to 20 centimeters (8 inches), are soft-bodied octopods with a pair of fins located on their mantle and webbing between their arms.

Encounters with Bioluminescent Creatures Photo

In this excerpt from the Deep Ocean Explorers video, scientists describe encounters with some astonishing bioluminescent creatures. More about deep ocean exploration can be found in our Deep Ocean Exploration featured story.

NOAA Teacher at Sea Ruth Meadows

In 2009, Ruth Meadows, a science teacher from Opelika Middle School in Opelika, AL was part of a team of international scientists that may have found a new species! Led by Mike Vecchione of the NOAA’s National Systematics Lab. Ruth spent 40 days aboard the NOAA ship Henry B.

First Giant Squid Photo

This 1874 photo of a squid draped over a bathtub was the first ever taken of a giant squid. It belonged to the Reverend Moses Harvey of Newfoundland. More about the giant squid can be found in theGiant Squid section.

Rev. Harvey Buys a Giant Squid

In 1874, Reverend Moses Harvey of Newfoundland bought a dead giant squid caught by fishermen. More about the giant squid can be found in our Giant Squid featured story.

Australian Giant Cuttlefish

The largest of the cuttlefish species, Australian Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) delight scientists each year as they gather in masses to spawn in northern Spencer Gulf, northwest of Adelaide in Australia.

Studying Giant Squid

Smithsonian Zoologist Dr. Clyde Roper (rear) and museum specialist Mike Sweeney examine the mantle of a dead giant squid. Everything we know about giant squid comes from studying specimens found washed up on beaches, floating in the ocean, or caught in a fishing net.

Giant Squid on Beach

This nearly complete giant squid washed up on a beach in Norway around 1950. Almost everything we know about giant squid comes from the scientific study of dead specimens like this one.

One-Person Submersible

Dr. Clyde Roper prepares to dive thousands of feet to a giant squid habitat off the coast of New Zealand in a one-person submersible.

Squid Tentacle

A giant squid left this tentacle behind after getting entangled on a hook below a Japanese research vessel, and eventually escaping. An underwater camera took footage of the event—the first time a giant squid was caught on film. More about the giant squid can be found in our Giant Squid featured story.

Dissecting a Giant Squid

Dr. Clyde Roper (top left), of the Smithsonian Institution, and scientists from NOAA and the Delaware Museum of Natural History dissect a giant squid specimen donated by NOAA. Everything we know about the biology of giant squid comes from dissecting and studying dead specimens.

Inside a Sperm Whale's Mouth

Sperm whales have conical teeth on their long, narrow, lower jaw. The teeth fit neatly into sockets in the upper jaw, which has no teeth. This arrangement is a perfect adaptation for slurping up soft-bodied squids—giant or otherwise. The sperm whale is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species.

Squid Embryo

Smaller than the head of a pin, this squid embryo looks almost like a miniature adult. It is from a medium-sized squid—the arrow squid (Doryteuthis plei). Explore more cephalopds and the largest known squid, the Giant Squid, on the Ocean Portal.

Dr. Stephen Cairns

Dr. Stephen Cairns is a research zoologist and chair of the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. His research focuses on the diversity, distribution, and evolution of deep-water corals—both fossil and living. Learn all about deep sea corals in our feature on Corals in Cold Water. 

Deep Ocean Corals, Smithsonian Institution

Solitary corals in the Smithsonian collection provide information about deep ocean diversity. The species shown here, Stephanocyathus paliferus, was named and described by Smithsonian zoologist Dr. Steve Cairns. More about life in the deep sea can be found in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

Yeti Crab

This unusual, hairy crab (Kiwa puravida)—with no eyes—was recently discovered on a hydrothermal vent near Easter Island. It represents not only a new species but also a new genus—Kiwa, after the mythological Polynesian goddess of shellfish.

Interactive Ocean Dive

Take a look at strange deep-sea creatures rarely seen before. Scientists and students from 16 nations photographed these creatures on an expedition to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Take the dive and explore other Cool Stuff from the deep ocean.

Fish Using Counterillumination

The fish at left stands out against the lighter waters above. At right the same fish—now with bioluminescent structures on its underside lit—blends in. Many deep sea creatures have evolved this adaptation (known as counterillumination), which enables them to hide in an environment with few hiding places.

Deep-Sea Worms

These deep-sea photographs show a variety of broad-collared enteropneusts or acorn worms. These wormlike animals make spiral tracks on the sea floor. All the species shown here are new to science, and most have not yet been collected by scientists. More about deep ocean exploration can be found in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

Zones of the Open Ocean

Oceanographers divide the ocean into three broad zones. Together, they could hide 20 Washington Monuments stacked on top of each other. Each zone has a different mix of species adapted to its light levels, pressures, and temperatures. About three-fourths of the ocean is deep, permanently dark, and cold. Learn more about these different zones.

Spiral Track on Ocean Floor

It took a while for scientists to identify what made this spiral track. At first they had only glimpses of the track-maker from fuzzy photographs. Finally, after studying a specimen and clearer images, scientists determined that the tracks were made by a new kind of wormlike animal from the group Enteropneusta. Click here to see these wormlike animals.

Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) Alvin

The research submersible Alvin uses bright lights to illuminate the dark seafloor. Built in 1964, it has made more than 4,400 dives. It can carry two scientists and a pilot as deep as 4,500 meters (14,764 feet). More about deep ocean exploration can be found in our Deep Ocean Exploration featured story.

Launch of an Autonomous Benthic Explorer

This autonomous operated vehicle, known as an ABE (autonomous benthic explorer), will map sites where seafloor earthquakes have occurred—enhancing our understanding of these catastrophic events.

Measuring a Skate on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

How does this skate (Bathyraja richardsoni) measure up? Researchers use underwater equipment to estimate its size. The marks on the meter-long scale bars are 10 cm apart. The yellow ribbons show which way the current is flowing here on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

ROV Tethered to Ship

A cable connects a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a ship at the surface, where it is operated by a pilot onboard the ship. The cable can extend for miles into the deep sea.

Cockatoo Squid

This transparent cranchiid, or cockatoo squid (Leachia sp.), retains ammonia solutions inside its body—giving it a balloon-like shape and helping it float. It has large eyes and pigment-filled cells (chromatophores) that look like polka dots and serve as camouflage—all adaptations to life in the deep ocean.

Unidentified Comb Jelly

This jelly’s red color provides camouflage in the deep ocean. Red light rarely reaches those depths, and most deep-sea animals have lost the ability to see red. The long, complex tentacles of this unidentified comb jelly (Order Cydippia) have sticky cells that can snag prey, and then retract.

Orange Roughy

Scientists believe orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) live longer than 150 years! Here, Census of Marine Life researchers used an underwater camera to photograph this group of orange roughy swimming over New Zealand’s Graveyard seamount complex.

Comb Jelly

Like many deep sea creatures, this tiny comb jelly (Bathocyroe fosteri) has a transparent body, enabling it to blend into the surrounding waters. This ctenophore is very common around the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. More about the deep ocean can be found in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

Deep Ocean

Dive through the zones of the ocean to the deep ocean bottom, where many strange species live, and there are many yet to be discovered. Explore them in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

Sea Creatures from the Deep: A Video by National Geographic and the Census of Marine Life

The Census of Marine Life - a ten-year effort by scientists from around the world to answer the age-old question, “What lives in the sea?” It was an international effort to asses the diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine life in our ocean, and the project offically concluded in October 2010.  

Video of Cirrate Octopod

This octopod is sometimes called a “Dumbo” octopod because its fins resemble the ears of Disney’s Dumbo the elephant. The video was recorded in 2003 on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge by the Russian manned submersible MIR 2. More about deep ocean exploration can be found in our Deep Ocean Exploration featured story. Note: this video contains no audio. 

From Submarines to Robots: Exploring the Deep Ocean

Filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer James Cameron on March 25, 2012, became the first human to complete a solo submarine dive to Challenger Deep, an undersea valley in the Mariana Trench of the Pacific Ocean known as the deepest surveyed spot on the planet. Cameron piloted the one-person submersible DEEPSEA CHALLENGER to the area that is 11,000 meters, or 6.8 miles, beneath the ocean surface in 2 hours and 36 minutes, gathering data, specimens, and images throughout the mission.

Millions of Brittlestars

A huge colony of brittlestars (likely Ophiacantha rosea) covers the peak of a seamount in the deep ocean. What’s the attraction? Food! Their arms reach out for tiny food particles carried by the swift Antarctic Circumpolar Current. More about the deep ocean can be found in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

Fangtooth Fish

This aptly named fish (Anoplogaster cornuta) has long, menacing fangs, but the adult fish reaches only about 17 cm (6 inches) in length. It has been found as deep as 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) and is most common between 500 and 2,000 meters (1,640 and 6,562 feet).

Spiny Deepsea King Crab

This crab (Neolithodes sp.) was collected on a NOAA/MAR-ECO cruise to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the summer of 2009. Its red color provides camouflage and protection from predators. Red wavelengths are strongly absorbed by water, so red light does not normally reach the midwater ocean zone. Most deep-sea animals have lost the ability to see red.

Hybrid Underwater Vehicle

A hybrid underwater vehicle combines the best features of an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) and an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle).

Bioluminescent Octopod

The yellow bioluminescent ring on this female octopod (Bolitaena pygmaea) may attract mates. Bioluminescence is an important adaptation that helps many deep sea animals survive in their dark world.

Seamounts, A Deep-Sea Habitat

Thousands of seamounts—most of them undersea volcanoes—tower above the muddy seafloor. They provide something hard to come by in the deep ocean: a solid surface to cling to. This photo gallery shows some of the organisms that have found a suitable home on seamounts. 

Sea Star on Coral at Seamount

A bright orange sea star (Novodinia antillensis) clings to a large white soft coral (Paragorgia sp.). This photo was taken on the Manning Seamount at a depth of 1,350 meters (4,429 feet) by the remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) Hercules. To learn more about life in the deep ocean, visit the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

Manning Seamount Corals

A variety of corals colonize the rocky surface of Manning Seamount, part of the New England Seamount Chain located in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This photo was taken on May 15, 2004, at a depth of 1,718 meters (5,636 feet) by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Hercules.

Animals of the Fire Ice

Students define and describe methane hydrate ice worms and hydrate shrimp. Students infer how methane hydrate ice worms and hydrate shrimp obtain their food. Students infer how methane hydrate ice worms and hydrate shrimp may interact with other species in the biological communities of which they are part. Students build a methane hydrate molecule.

For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

A Tale of Deep Corals

Students describe and explain the two hypotheses for the frequent occurrence of deep-sea corals in the vicinity of hydrocarbon seeps. Students evaluate relevant experimental data and explain how this data may support or refute these hypotheses. Students define and contrast coincidence and causality, explain the relevance of these terms to hypotheses such as those related to deep-sea corals and hydrocarbon seeps.

For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

This Old Tubeworm

Students will be able to explain the process of chemosynthesis; explain the relevance of chemosynthesis to biological communities in the vicinity of cold seeps; construct a graphic interpretation of age-specific growth, given data on incremental growth rates of different-sized individuals of the same species; and estimate the age of an individual of a specific size, given information on age-specific growth in individuals of the same species.

For more information: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

Monsters of the Deep

Students will be able to describe major features of cold seep communities; list at least five organisms typical of these communities; infer probable trophic relationships among organisms typical of cold-seep communities and the surrounding deep-sea environment; describe the process of chemosynthesis in general terms; contrast chemosynthesis and photosynthesis; and describe at least five deep-sea predator organisms.

For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

Treasures in Jeopardy

Students will be able to compare and contrast deep-sea coral reefs with their shallow-water counterparts; explain at least three benefits associated with deep-sea coral reefs; describe human activities that threaten deep-sea coral reefs; and describe actions that should be taken to protect deep-sea coral reef resources.

For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

Let’s Make a Tubeworm

Students will be able to describe the process of chemosynthesis in general terms; to contrast chemosynthesis and photosynthesis; describe major features of cold seep communities; and list at least five organisms typical of these communities. Students will be able to define symbiosis; describe two examples of symbiosis in cold seep communities; describe the anatomy of vestimentiferans; and explain how tubeworms obtain their food. For more information http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

Exploring Explorations

Students will describe human benefits that have resulted from explorations of the Earth’s deep oceans.

For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.