Cold-water coral ecosystems around New Zealand are being studied on the expedition SO309 with the research vessel SONNE. The aim of the voyage is to gain insights into the development, occurrence and condition of these fascinating habitats. MARUM will broadcast the dives of the diving robot MARUM-SQUID from the Western Pacific live from on board the German research vessel SONNE. The expedition begins on 16 January 2025 in Welllington (New Zealand).
12.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Brittle star on a deep-water coral (Victorgorgia sp.).
11.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
International women in science day.
Best wishes from the RV SONNE at 42°45.480’S and 179°59.741’W!
upper row from left to right: Karen Jeskulke (Technician, Senckenberg, Germany), Dr. Lyndsey Holland (Marine Biologist, Department of Conservation, New Zealand), Laura McDonald (Marine Geologist, University of Auckland), Prof. Dr. Saskia Brix (Marine Biologist, Senckenberg, Germany), Hanna Eyrich (Marine Biologist, Senckenberg, Germany), Alissa Bach (Bsc Geoscientist, University of Bremen), Dr. Evgenia Bazhenova (Marine Geologist, MARUM, Germany), Birgit Meyer-Schack (Technician, MARUM, Germany), Heike Dugge (Nautical Officer, RV SONNE), Dr. Sophia Schillai (ROV Pilot, MARUM, Germany)
lower row from left to right: Dr. Jenny Beaumont (Marine Biologist, NIWA, New Zealand), Dr. Anne-Nina Lörz (Marine Biologist, Senckenberg, Germany), Dr. Kareen Schnabel (Marine Biologist, NIWA, New Zealand), Dr. Nilufar Jawadi (Ship’s doctor, RV SONNE), Prof. Dr. Helen Bostock (Marine Geologist, University of Queensland, Australia), Dr. Lydia Beuck (Co-Chief Scientist SO309, Senckenberg, Germany), absent: Dr. Claudia Wienberg (Marine Geologist, MARUM, Germany).
Copyright: Götz Ruhland
10.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Carnivorous sponge associated with deep-water corals.
09.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
The MARUM remotely operated vehicle (ROV) starts diving.
08.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Northern royal albatross (Diomedea sanfordi) with trailing wingtip touching the water.
07.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Northern royal albatross (Diomedea sanfordi).
Copyright Peter Marriott
06.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Footballcrabs (Sternostylus rogeri) inhabit a bamboo coral in a deep-water coral reef (Solenosmilia variabilis) on Ghoul Seamount, Chatham Rise, New Zealand.
05.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Sample processing in the sorting lab.
04.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
An octocoral (Malacalcyonaceae) is growing on a lace coral (Stylaster eguchii).
Copyright Peter Marriott
03.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Moonlittrail on the Pacific.
02.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
The filtering deep-sea isopod (Chaetarcturus sp.) lives on an octocoral.
01.02.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Anemone living on the seafloor off Milford Sound, Fiordland
31.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
CTD deployment offshore Milford Sound to measure from different depths water mass parameters, like salinity and temperature.
30.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Small red-lined perch (Lepidoperca tasmanica) finding shelter in a deep-water coral colony (Madrepora oculata).
29.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Sunset from the Dusky Sound
28.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
The first successful UV light test – a bioluminescent, sedentary anemone, probably trying to attract food by glowing.
27.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
The German research vessel SONNE on the way to the next working area in Thompson Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand.
Copyright Tom Leymann
26.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
With the Ocean Floor Observation System (OFOS) video sledge we study a terminal moraine at a depth of 160 m visually in the Thompson Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand.
Copyright Andre Freiwald
25.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
The southern cross!
Copyright Peter Marriott
24.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
After seven hours the MARUM ROV returns to deck of the research vessel Sonne.
Copyright Lydia Beuck
23.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Sampling record in the South of New Zealand eastern Stewart Island – The sediment core from the upper 8.56 m of the seafloor will help to reconstruct palaeoenvironment.
Copyright Claudia Wienberg
22.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
The solitary coral (Flabellum knoxi) catches food with its expanded tentacles and measures about 7 cm in width.
It was sampled for reproduction studies with the MARUM diving robot Squid.
Copyright Peter Marriott
21.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
A sea urchin among corals, sponges and shells on the seabed in southern New Zealand.
Copyright MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen
20.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
The ROV team uses the MARUM diving robot to take samples of deep-water coral colonies at a water depth of 620 m.
Copyright Lydia Beuck
19.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
The first seabed sample was collected with the box corer.
Copyright Lydia Beuck
18.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
On the way to the first working area, scientists present their research.
Copyright Lydia Beuck
17.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Dolphins accompany the research vessel Sonne on the expedition SO309 as it leaves the port of Wellington.
Copyright Peter Marriott
16.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
Group photo of the cruise participants of the expedition SO309 on board the research vessel Sonne in the port of Wellington – New Zealand.
Copyright Frank Schrage
15.01.2025 Picture of the day
Expedition SO309 – CoralNewZ 16.01.2025 – 15.02.2025 New Zealand.
View on the research vessel Sonne from the New Zealand research vessel Kaharoa II in the port of Wellington.