Calling the deep seafloor around American Samoa “the nation’s highest-priority region for offshore critical mineral exploration,” NOAA officials said the agency will conduct two expeditions through this summer and fall to map and characterize the region.
The missions are part of the 244’ NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer’s 2026 research season. The first segment in August through September 2026 is using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The second expedition will run from late September through October 2026. Throughout both expeditions, the team will deploy advanced mapping technology and observational sensors.
“NOAA is dedicating our resources to providing scientific research and data that supports commerce,” said Erik Noble, NOAA’s principal deputy assistant secretary in announcijng the plan.
“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.”
Real-time ROV operations will be streamed online daily, providing the public and shore-based scientists a view into the deep-sea environment around Samoa. Agency officials call it a “data-driven approach…designed to provide authoritative science for decision-makers at federal and local levels. All data gathered will be made publicly available 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 Capt. William Mowitt, acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research. “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.”
American Samoa is targeted as the highest-priority region in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone for mapping and exploration due to its high potential for seafloor polymetallic nodules and high industry interest.
The new missions follow a successful 2026 NOAA-funded project to map and characterize over 30,000 square nautical miles in the region as well as two NOAA-funded expeditions on Ocean Exploration Trust’s 211’ exploration vessel Nautilus, which included exploration in the eastern American Samoa Exclusive Economic Zone.
