NOAA & Partners to Map Deep-Sea Critical Mineral Potential

NOAA Ocean Exploration and its partners are launching two major seafloor mapping expeditions in the waters surrounding American Samoa to survey the nation’s highest-priority region for offshore critical minerals.

Taking place aboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer from August through October 2026, the initiatives aim to characterize the deep seafloor and evaluate its mineral potential. The first expedition runs from August through September using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to explore unmapped marine environments, followed by a second mission running through October. Throughout both operations, the team will deploy advanced mapping technology and observational sensors to generate authoritative data for federal and local decision-makers.

“NOAA is dedicating our resources to providing scientific research and data that supports commerce,” said NOAA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Erik Noble. “We are investing in the thrill of exploration, tying scientific discoveries to data that industry, government and our partners can use to build prosperity, both at home and around the globe.”

To ensure transparency, real-time ROV operations will be streamed online daily, offering scientists and the public a direct view into the deep-sea environment. All gathered data will be published openly to support critical mineral assessments, future exploration decisions, and broader marine-resource planning.

“The deep waters around American Samoa hold unknown secrets about our ocean, including unmapped habitats and potential mineral resources critical to our national prosperity and security,” said Captain William Mowitt, acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration. “By exploring these areas in an open and transparent way, we are providing the authoritative and foundational science that decision-makers and local communities need to responsibly manage the marine environment and its resources.”

These missions align with the U.S. Offshore Critical Minerals Mapping Plan, the Executive Order “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,” and the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Strategy. American Samoa represents the highest-priority region within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone due to significant industry interest and high potential for polymetallic nodules. The effort builds upon a successful 2026 NOAA-funded project that mapped over 30,000 square nautical miles, alongside two previous research expeditions conducted aboard the Ocean Exploration Trust’s Exploration Vessel Nautilus.