Scientists Map California-Sized Ocean Area Near Wake Island

Scientists are about to explore one of the last truly mysterious places under American waters, and you can watch every moment as it happens.

The Ocean Exploration Trust launched a 31-day expedition this week to map the ocean floor around Wake Island, a tiny atoll sitting halfway between Hawaii and Guam. The area covers 407,241 square kilometers, roughly the size of California, yet almost none of it has ever been surveyed or studied.

Starting from Guam, the team aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus will use underwater robots to dive as deep as 6,000 meters below the surface. That's nearly four miles down, reaching depths never before explored in this region.

"This expedition will bring substantial exploration capacity not seen in a decade to the Wake region," says Steve Auscavitch, lead scientist from the Smithsonian Institution. The data collected will support scientific discovery for years to come.

Wake Island holds both natural and historical significance. Part of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, its surrounding waters shelter unique deep-sea habitats and seamounts. But the area also holds pieces of American and Japanese history from World War II.

Attacked the same day as Pearl Harbor, Wake Island witnessed a fierce 16-day battle that resulted in the sinking of the first Japanese warships of the war. The expedition team will search for these maritime heritage sites to honor the servicemen who fought there.

The Ripple Effect

This expedition demonstrates how exploration technology has become truly democratic. Through NautilusLive.org, anyone worldwide can watch live feeds from the ocean floor as scientists make discoveries in real time.

Classrooms can connect directly with the team for educational sessions. International archaeological experts from Japan and America will guide dives remotely from shore, working together to document historically significant sites.

The ship will also deploy cutting-edge tools during its 3,800-mile journey, including DNA samplers that collect genetic material from seawater to identify marine life. All the data collected will be publicly available immediately, with no restrictions or waiting periods.

More than 50 scientists, educators, and technology specialists are participating in the mission. The information they gather will establish the first comprehensive baseline understanding of what lives and exists in these unexplored waters.

In a world where we've mapped more of Mars than our own ocean floor, this expedition reminds us there are still wonders waiting to be discovered right here on Earth.