EX1502 Leg 3, Océano Profundo 2015 : Exploring Puerto Rico's Seamounts, Trenches, and Troughs : expedition report Exploring Puerto Rico's Seamounts, Trenches EX1502L3 cruise report

In April 2015, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, the only US federal ship dedicated to ocean exploration, systematically explored previously unknown deep sea ecosystems in the US waters of the Caribbean. Operations focused on deep-water habitats in and around the Puerto Rico Trench and the US Virgin Islands. Over 10,854 km² of previously unmapped seafloor were mapped with a high-resolution multibeam, revealing rugged canyons along shelf breaks, intricate incised channels, and complex tectonic features. Twelve ROV dives, in the 300-6,000 m depth range, surveyed seamounts, escarpments, submarine canyons, and the water column revealing diverse ecosystems and habitats. Discoveries include large assemblages of deep-sea corals, range extensions, and observations of several rare and new species. For example, the seastar Laetmaster spectabilis had not been documented since its original description in 1881. This document summarizes the operations conducted on Okeanos Explorer during Océano Profundo 2015 (EX1502 Leg 3) and highlights potential features and observations of interest to the ocean science and management communities. [doi:10.7289/V5NG4NM8 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7289/V5NG4NM8)] report contributors: Brian R.C Kennedy, Kasey Cantwell, Derek Sowers, Andrea M. Quattrini, Michael J. Cheadle, Lindsay McKenna ; NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research. "September 30, 2015." "Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and Mapping Exploration of Deepwater US Caribbean Habitats, April 09 to April 30, 2015, San Juan, PR to San Juan, PR." doi:10.7289/V5NG4NM8 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7289/V5NG4NM8) System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (pages 36-37).