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In the first-ever survey of Unnamed Seamount A in the Wentworth Seamount chain of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the team has been witnessing rich sponge and coral diversity. While flying the ROVs over 1,300 meters deep along the side of this ancient volcano, the team encountered this gorgeous #bamboocoral, an animal group named for the skeletal nodes that resemble the bamboo segments. Our ROV pilots estimated this specimen to be two to three meters tall - towering over ROV Hercules and taller than all of the team! While shallow-water #coralreefs are better known, #deepseacoral communities and the ecosystems they support across Pacific seamounts are largely unexplored. Learn more about the Luʻuaeaahikiikapapakū expedition: sponsored by NOAA Ocean Exploration and the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. E/V Nautilus is exploring unknown regions of the ocean seeking out new discoveries in biology, geology, and archaeology. Join us
