Approximate GPS Coordinates: 45.95, -130.00

VIRTUAL EXPLORATIONS > ARCHIVED EXPLORATIONS

Exploration Dates: July 20 to 24, 2015

Axial Seamount, an active underwater volcano located about 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, erupted starting in April of this year — and scientists are setting off to investigate! Join us online as a team from multiple organizations uses high-tech robots to explore an alien landscape where life can take on strange and wondrous forms. Daily blogs, photos and more will be posted on the Oceanscape Network during this expedition. 

The Axial Seamount Eruption Response is a program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation in cooperation with Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, the Oceanscape Network and others. 

What's This All About? The Axial Seamount is one of the largest marine volcanoes in the north Pacific Ocean — and in April 2015 something BIG happened there. Now, NOAA scientists and others are heading out to see to investigate this geologic phenomenon and how it may have affected the strange ecosystems that lie at the bottom of the ocean.

Browse This Exploration:

Part 1: Departure and Looking Ahead | Part 2: Launch of the SS Morning Star | Part 3: Life at Sea | Part 4: The 2015 Eruption | Part 5: The AUV Sentry | Part 6: CTD Tow-yo | Part 7: First Jason Dive | Part 8: The Weather | Part 9: Myth Busting | Part 10: Incubator Experiments | Part 11: Second Jason Dive | Part 12: Pressure Dive | Part 13: Facilitating Science | Part 14: Making Lava Maps | Part 15: Last Two Jason Dives | Part 16: Cruise Success