The manned research submersible Alvin. September 8 - October 1,
2001 The Deep East Expedition completed its field season on
October 1. Scientists explored three regions of the Atlantic
Ocean, from Maine to Georgia, including the submarine canyons of
Georges Bank and Bear Seamount off the New England coast; Hudson
Submarine Canyon, an ancient extension of the Hudson River
Valley that extends more than 400 nautical mi seaward from the
New York-New Jersey Harbor; and Blake Ridge off the Georgia
coast. Even though these areas are very close to home, until
now, little was known about the living and nonliving resources
there. Using the manned submersible Alvin, scientists ventured
to the bottom of the Atlantic, collected video footage, measured
the biological, geological, and chemical features of these
areas, and collected biological and geological samples for
further analysis. During the expedition, scientists examined
deep-water corals and methane hydrates, and discovered
previously unknown deep-sea resources and