Expedition Report: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping (EX2503)

A groundbreaking expedition in Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument mapped 48,219 sq. km of seafloor and conducted 16 ROV dives, significantly expanding our understanding of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The NOAA-led mission (April 8–May 5, 2025) utilized advanced mapping and remotely operated vehicles to explore previously uncharted deep-sea terrain within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. This unprecedented survey provides critical baseline data for marine conservation efforts, revealing complex seafloor topography and supporting biodiversity research in one of Earth's most remote and ecologically significant regions.

Cuellar, S., Bacheler, N., Kennedy, B., Kahanamoku-Meyer, S., Medley, R., Meyer, J., Caradine-Taber, S., Lienesch, A., & Schweizer, J. (2026). Expedition Report: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping (EX2503). EX2503. https://doi.org/10.25923/ZMEC-B493