Biodiversity and Beauty Near Johnston Atoll
Across nearly a month exploring the Central Pacific, our team has witnessed never-before-seen landscapes and expanded what we know about Earthʻs residents! Join our Corps of Exploration for the joy of seeing these places with this highlight compilation of some of the best views from the seafloor on the seamounts surrounding Johnston Atoll. The team has been treated to abundant wildlife, including Lophocalyx and Bolosoma sponges, sea urchins, sea dandelions, a flying crinoid, and more. Lean into your screens just like our team does in the control room for up-close shots of sea spiders, a Venefica sp. eel, hydroids, and a translucent sea pig. And, of course, you can’t have a Nautilus Live highlight video without a Chaunacops anglerfish!
These deep-sea environments and ancient seamounts ~800 miles south of Hawaiʻi in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument contain some of Earth's most pristine marine ecosystems. Data associated with the region’s deepwater natural and cultural resources are particularly important now, as a monument management plan is under development, and the region is being considered as a new national marine sanctuary.
Deep Sea Biodiversity & Ancient Seamount Exploration near Johnston Atoll
In August 2023, we will return to the Central Pacific for 27 days of exploration within the Johnston Atoll Unit of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM), starting and ending in Honolulu.
