FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4 October 2001
Contact: Doug Schneider, Information Officer, 907-474-7449, Ray Highsmith, Director, West Coast and Polar Regions National Undersea Research Center, 907-474-7836, or Jennifer Reynolds, Science Director, 907-474-5871,
SFOS-2001/NR003

Scientists Plan Deep Sea Research in Alaska

Famed Alvin submersible likely to return

SEATTLE, Washington—Two years ago Alvin, the deep-diving submersible that found the Titanic, was in Alaska, plumbing the ocean depths off Kodiak Island. While it didn't find any sunken ocean liners, it observed deep-sea crabs, helped map undersea mountains and located methane seeps. But Alvin's biggest contribution may have been whetting the appetites of scientists to learn more about what may truly be Alaska's last frontier.

Scientists may get that chance as early as next summer, thanks to plans being made for Alvin's return to Alaska waters by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration.

"The Ocean Exploration program is about going places we've never been before," said NOAA administrator Barbara Moore. "Alaska's ocean depths are largely unknown and unexplored."

In a two-day science workshop held last week in Seattle, Washington, 25 scientists from 19 universities and federal agencies discussed research and exploration ideas that would use the deep-submergence vehicle in Alaska waters. The meeting was sponsored by NOAA's West Coast and Polar Regions Undersea Research Center, based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

"There is so much work that needs to be done that Alvin is coming back to Alaska," said Ray Highsmith, director of the undersea research center. Although the expedition is contingent on funding, Highsmith said Alvin and its mother ship, the 274-foot Atlantis, is scheduled to spend 26 days next summer exploring the western Gulf of Alaska. If all goes well, Alvin may return in 2003 to conduct further studies.

Alvin was first built in 1964 to withstand sea pressures down to 6,000 feet beneath the ocean surface. Several upgrades in the years since allow the submersible to dive to nearly 15,000 feet and stay for up to 10 hours collecting samples and taking photographs and video. That range enables Alvin to explore 68 percent of the world's ocean floor.

Scientists presented a range of ideas for research, including mapping of the deep-sea floor, geological studies of extinct undersea volcanoes, exploring for new species, the study of corals and crabs, and the ecology surrounding methane seeps.

Lisa Levin, an oceanographer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, hopes to use the submersible to continue work she started in 1999, the only other time Alvin was used in Alaska. During those dives, Levin found unique marine communities that thrive around methane gas seeps on the sea floor some 10,000 feet beneath the surface.

"Every time we go to a new place, we find creatures that no one has seen before," said Levin. "This was true of our work in Alaska. I believe there will be more discoveries in these communities."

Tim White, a paleo-oceanographer at Pennsylvania State University and visiting researcher at the United States Geological Survey, believes sediments deposited on the ocean floor by the Alaska Coastal Current may hold clues to changes the North Pacific's climate.

Yet before research can begin, modern charts of the sea floor are necessary, said Jennifer Reynolds, science director with the undersea research center in Fairbanks.

"Few people have been to the deep ocean off Alaska," Reynolds told her colleagues at the meeting. "We don't have detailed sea floor charts for the Gulf of Alaska."

Making those maps using sophisticated sonar imaging systems aboard the Atlantis likely will be among the first tasks during next year's planned cruise. That, says, Scripps's Peter Lonsdale, would help him settle a long-standing scientific debate over what triggered a massive tsunami in 1946. The wave originated just off the coast of Unimak Island in the Aleutians, and sent a 150 foot wall of water crashing into Hilo, Hawaii, killing dozens of people. It went on to destroy huts on the coast of Antarctica. The wave was unusual because it was narrow and much bigger than expected for the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that is thought to have triggered it.

"There are scientists who think the wave was caused by a major undersea landslide following the quake," said Lonsdale. "But there are those of us who think it was something else. Knowing what caused this tsunami may tell us a lot about how future tsunamis may occur in this area."

Scientists also want to involve the public in Alvin's research. Ideas ranging from having an Alaska schoolteacher or student aboard, to developing an interactive Web site and teaching guides were discussed. Just what public outreach, as well as science, is ultimately funded will depend largely on the proposals submitted to the Office of Ocean Exploration. The deadline for proposals is November 7, 2001. For more information visit NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration.

Alvin's 2002 (tentative) Alaska Cruise Schedule

The research vessel Atlantis, with Alvin safely tucked into its hanger, is expected to depart Astoria, Oregon, June 25. Following approximately five days transit to the Gulf of Alaska, the ship will begin 16 days of dives with Alvin. The Atlantis will then take about 5 days to return to Astoria.

Alvin Facts

Continuously operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the original Alvin deep-submergence vehicle went into service in 1964, and was designed to operate at depths to 6,000 feet. Although the vehicle itself has undergone many conversions and changes designed to extend its operating depth, the name Alvin has stood the test of time. During its 37 years, the submersible has made more than 3,800 dives. Today, Alvin is certified by the U.S. Navy to dive to 4,500 meters or 14,764 feet. That's nearly three miles beneath the ocean surface. That range enables Alvin to explore 68 percent of the world's ocean floor.

Web sites of interest

NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration

Research Vessel Atlantis

Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin

Alvin photos

Alvin's 1999 Alaska Research (news release)

Arctic Science Journeys Radio story