Galápagos Deep 2023 Expedition

The expedition is led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), University of Bristol, Boise State University and University of Essex, in collaboration with the Galápagos National Park Directorate, Charles Darwin Foundation and local Navy INOCAR, and is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the UK National Environment Research Council. 21 scientists from 13 institutions will be on board the expedition which begins on March 27th and ends on April 22nd, on board the R/V Atlantis (WHOI).

This 2023 expedition is critical to further our understanding of the ecosystems and animals that live deep in our oceans, their connectivity in the region, the role they play in regulating the climate of our planet, and to better understand the geological evolution of the islands and the Galápagos Platform. The expedition will see the Alvin submersible submerge to the depths of over 3000m across the Galápagos Marine Reserve for 22 consecutive days.

The Alvin submersible is the longest-operating and most active deep-submergence vehicle in the world. First launched in 1964, the Alvin has over its lifetime made more than 5,000 dives–more than all other scientific research submersibles combined.

About the Alvin sub:

• Alvin was first launched in 1964 and has made more than 5,000 dives–more than all other scientific research submersibles combined.
• The submersible has undergone a series of upgrades and improvements throughout its lifetime to keep it at the forefront of scientific deep submergence
• The most recent upgrade, begun in 2011 and carried out in two phases that were completed in 2022, increased the sub’s dive limit from 4500m to 6500m. 
• Additional improvements include new lighting and camera systems, a larger, more ergonomic personnel sphere, improved command and control systems, high-efficiency thrusters, new syntactic foam flotation, enhanced science payload.
• More about Alvin’s upgrade here.