Menu
The Nueva Aquanuts Club was founded to allow students to learn more about and get involved with ocean conservation efforts.
The oceans are a prevalent topic in today’s world, and under threat because of climate change. The Aquanauts are a group of students who want to learn more about the ocean, and contribute to conservation efforts. Through speakers, outside of school activities, science experiments, and outreach programs, we aim to educate ourselves and others about the importance of the oceans, and what we can all do to help. Read our blog posts below!
May 5, 2025
Guess what? Scientists recently uncovered five brand-new hydrothermal vents deep down at about 2,550 meters (that’s over 8,300 feet!) on the East Pacific Rise, a volcanic mountain chain under the ocean where tectonic plates are pulling apart. These vents are like underwater geysers, spewing super-hot, mineral-rich water that can reach over 300°C (570°F)! Talk about a fiery underwater party.
What’s really cool is how these vents create a whole unique ecosystem. Even though sunlight can’t reach down there, strange creatures like giant tubeworms, snails, and other animals thrive by relying on bacteria that turn chemicals from the vents into food-a process called chemosynthesis. It’s like an alien world right here on Earth!
The discovery was made possible by a team using a mix of deep-sea robots and human-occupied submarines, mapping lava flows and collecting rock samples to understand how these vents form and evolve. These vents not only reveal how new ocean crust is born but also show how life can survive in extreme conditions.
So next time you think of volcanoes, don’t just picture fiery mountains on land-there’s a whole wild volcanic world bubbling beneath the waves!
May 2, 2025
Imagine diving nearly 5,000 feet below the ocean surface and stumbling upon a volcanic eruption-live and in action! That’s exactly what happened recently at the Mid-Ocean Ridge, a massive underwater mountain chain stretching 40,000 miles around the globe. For the first time ever, scientists got a front-row seat to one of Earth’s most powerful natural shows happening deep beneath the waves.
This eruption took place at the Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano off the Oregon coast, known as the Pacific Northwest’s most active submarine volcano. Researchers aboard the submersible Alvin descended into the dark, chilly depths, watching lava gush out and cool instantly in the icy seawater, creating sparkling black glassy rocks. The scene was otherworldly-bioluminescent jellyfish floated by, then suddenly the seafloor lit up with molten lava flows.
Why is this such a big deal? Because over 80% of Earth’s volcanic activity happens underwater, mostly along mid-ocean ridges like this one. Seeing an eruption up close helps scientists understand how new ocean crust forms, how these eruptions affect ocean chemistry, and how life thrives in such extreme conditions.
This fiery underwater spectacle is a reminder that our planet is alive and constantly changing-even in places we rarely see!
April 29, 2025
Imagine diving nearly 5,000 feet below the ocean surface and stumbling upon a volcanic eruption-live and in action! That’s exactly what happened recently at the Mid-Ocean Ridge, a massive underwater mountain chain stretching 40,000 miles around the globe. For the first time ever, scientists got a front-row seat to one of Earth’s most powerful natural shows happening deep beneath the waves.
This eruption took place at the Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano off the Oregon coast, known as the Pacific Northwest’s most active submarine volcano. Researchers aboard the submersible Alvin descended into the dark, chilly depths, watching lava gush out and cool instantly in the icy seawater, creating sparkling black glassy rocks. The scene was otherworldly-bioluminescent jellyfish floated by, then suddenly the seafloor lit up with molten lava flows.
Why is this such a big deal? Because over 80% of Earth’s volcanic activity happens underwater, mostly along mid-ocean ridges like this one. Seeing an eruption up close helps scientists understand how new ocean crust forms, how these eruptions affect ocean chemistry, and how life thrives in such extreme conditions.
This fiery underwater spectacle is a reminder that our planet is alive and constantly changing-even in places we rarely see!
April 26, 2025
Scientists have recently uncovered an exciting new species of crab living about 3,000 feet below the surface of the South China Sea. Named Gordonopsis mazupo, this deep-sea crab was discovered clinging to bamboo coral during an expedition in 2021 and officially described in 2023. What makes this crab stand out are its spiny body and distinctive “blade-like” claws, giving it a fierce appearance despite its relatively small size. Its carapace is a yellowish hue, while its legs and other parts sport a vibrant orange color.
Interestingly, Gordonopsis mazupo closely resembles another species, Gordonopsis pacifica, but can be distinguished by its notably longer walking legs. The species name honors Mazu, the Chinese Goddess of the Sea, reflecting the crab’s deep connection to the ocean environment.
This discovery highlights how much remains unknown about ocean life, especially at such depths where sunlight doesn’t reach. With over 90% of ocean species still unclassified and much of the deep sea unexplored, findings like this remind us of the vast biodiversity waiting to be uncovered beneath the waves. The South China Sea continues to be a hotspot for marine discoveries, revealing new species that deepen our understanding of life in the ocean’s hidden realms
April 23, 2025
The Mariana Trench-Earth’s deepest ocean abyss-is teeming with life we’re only starting to understand. In March 2025, scientists dropped a bombshell: 7,564 newly identified species-level genomes were found in its crushing depths, with nearly 90% representing unknown microbes. These aren’t your average bacteria-they’ve evolved wild survival tricks, like digesting carbon monoxide and shrinking their genomes to thrive under pressure equivalent to 1,000 elephants standing on a person.
The discoveries came from a massive collaboration (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, BGI, and others) that sampled sediments down to 10,900 meters during a 2021 expedition. But the trench isn’t done sharing secrets: May-June 2025 expeditions led by Ocean Exploration Trust will probe mud volcanoes and trench slopes near the Mariana Islands, hunting for more extremophiles.
Why care? These microbes could inspire new antibiotics, cancer drugs, or even tools for surviving space. Plus, they’re master recyclers, breaking down organic debris in a near-foodless zone. As submersibles like Nautilus dive deeper this summer, expect more mind-blowing finds-proof that life thrives where we least expect it.
April 20, 2025
This June, leaders and experts are meeting in Nice, France, for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference-a crucial moment for our oceans. The big focus? Getting enough countries to ratify the High Seas Treaty, which protects the vast international waters that cover 61% of the ocean. So far, only 15 countries have signed on, but 60 are needed for it to become law.
The conference will also work on linking SDG14 (ocean conservation) with climate goals. The ocean absorbs a huge chunk of CO₂ and heat, but it’s suffering from pollution, acidification, and overfishing. The new “Nice Ocean Action Plan” aims to push science-based policies, secure funding for sustainable fishing, and hold countries accountable.
From June 9–13, expect important talks about protecting marine life, managing deep-sea mining, and including Indigenous voices. This conference could be a turning point to save our oceans and fight climate change-because the ocean’s health is our planet’s health. The time to act is now!
April 17, 2025
This November, the world’s eyes will be on Belém, Brazil, as leaders gather for COP30—the UN’s critical climate summit where countries must negotiate stronger emission cuts to keep the 1.5°C goal alive. With global temperatures inching closer to disaster (current policies could lead to 3.1°C of warming!), this summit is a rare chance to turn pledges into action.
The stakes? Huge. A recent UN report warns that emissions must drop 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035 to avoid climate chaos. But current promises are falling short, risking a 2.6-2.8°C future even if met. Brazil’s hosting this year adds symbolic weight: the Amazon, a climate linchpin, will take center stage, pushing talks on forest conservation and indigenous rights.
Expect heated debates over climate finance (who pays?) and adaptation (how do vulnerable nations survive?). Brazil’s COP30 president is calling for a “global mutirão”—a collective effort inspired by Indigenous communal work—to bridge divides. The goal? Move beyond “blah blah” summits and lock in binding commitments before it’s too late.
Forget jargon—this is about survival. Will COP30 be the moment we finally pivot from talk to action? The clock’s ticking.
Watching that video made me realize just how little we really know about the deep ocean. For a century, this giant creature was mostly known from bits found in sperm whale stomachs or caught by fishermen. Now, seeing a live one moving gracefully in its dark, cold home feels like unlocking a secret of the ocean. It’s humbling to think that this mysterious animal has no idea humans even exist, and yet here we are, finally catching a glimpse of its world.
This sighting reignited my fascination with the ocean’s mysteries and reminded me how much there still is to explore beneath the waves. It’s a thrilling moment for science and a beautiful reminder of nature’s wonders hidden in the deep.
April 14, 2025
I was completely blown away by the news that scientists finally captured live footage of a colossal squid swimming deep in the South Atlantic Ocean near the South Sandwich Islands. This is huge because, although the colossal squid was identified 100 years ago, no one had ever seen it alive in its natural habitat until now. The squid they filmed was a juvenile, about a foot long, with a see-through body—so different from the massive adults that can grow up to 23 feet and weigh over 1,100 pounds, making them the heaviest invertebrates on Earth.
Watching that video made me realize just how little we really know about the deep ocean. For a century, this giant creature was mostly known from bits found in sperm whale stomachs or caught by fishermen. Now, seeing a live one moving gracefully in its dark, cold home feels like unlocking a secret of the ocean. It’s humbling to think that this mysterious animal has no idea humans even exist, and yet here we are, finally catching a glimpse of its world.
This sighting reignited my fascination with the ocean’s mysteries and reminded me how much there still is to explore beneath the waves. It’s a thrilling moment for science and a beautiful reminder of nature’s wonders hidden in the deep.
April 11, 2025
California’s Ocean Protection Council just stepped up its game with a March 2025 resolution targeting the twin threats of ocean acidification and hypoxia—two silent killers messing with shellfish and fisheries. As CO₂ emissions acidify waters and nutrient runoff starves the ocean of oxygen, critters like oysters and crabs struggle to survive. The state’s answer? Boost research, monitor hotspots, and cut pollution from sources like agriculture and wastewater.
Enter SeaSketch California, a slick new mapping tool that’s like Google Maps for marine protection. This open-source platform lets scientists, policymakers, and even the public visualize proposed changes to marine protected areas (MPAs). Want to see how tweaking a no-fishing zone impacts kelp forests or crab populations? SeaSketch crunches the data, making it easier to balance conservation with coastal economies.
The stakes are high: California’s shellfish industry and iconic fisheries face collapse if acidification isn’t curbed. But with tools like SeaSketch and policies targeting nutrient pollution, the state’s pushing back—proving you can protect the ocean and the communities that rely on it. It’s a smart, collaborative approach to saving our seas, one pH level and map layer at a time.
April 8, 2025
Trump’s approach to ocean policy prioritizes economic expansion over conservation, with ripple effects for marine ecosystems. His administration has rolled back protections like Obama’s National Oceans Policy, which emphasized climate resilience and biodiversity, replacing it with a focus on offshore drilling, fishing deregulation, and energy dominance12. Recent moves include plans to expand Arctic drilling and reopen protected marine monuments to industrial fishing, risking fragile habitats and species like sea turtles34.
Climate action takes a hit, too. Trump dismisses ocean acidification and rising sea levels as concerns, even joking that higher seas create “more oceanfront property”. His push to fast-track offshore oil leases and block wind farms (which he calls “ugly”) sidelines renewable energy progress. Meanwhile, fisheries cheer deregulation, but scientists warn it could collapse vulnerable ecosystems already stressed by warming waters26.
The long-term cost? Coastal communities and marine life pay the price. Coral reefs, shellfish beds, and Arctic ecosystems face heightened risks from pollution and habitat loss. While industries gain temporary flexibility, the lack of safeguards leaves oceans—and the economies that rely on them—more exposed to climate-driven crises. As one expert put it: “It’s a throwback to the 1960s, treating the ocean as inexhaustible”. Spoiler: it’s not.
April 3, 2025
Imagine a high-tech ship cruising the vast Pacific, uncovering secret underwater worlds no one has seen before. That’s exactly what NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer has been up to! From April to May 2025, this amazing vessel embarked on a month-long expedition around the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, a huge protected area full of pristine marine ecosystems and cultural treasures.
Using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and cutting-edge mapping tools, the team explored deep waters, capturing stunning live video of mysterious seafloor landscapes, vibrant coral gardens, and rare marine creatures. The expedition isn’t just about cool discoveries-it’s about understanding and protecting these delicate habitats that are some of the last relatively untouched ocean places on Earth.
What makes this journey even cooler? Anyone with an internet connection could join the adventure live, watching the ROVs dive deep and sharing in the excitement of each new find. Plus, the data collected helps scientists and resource managers make smarter decisions to keep these underwater paradises safe for generations to come.
So next time you think of ocean exploration, picture the Okeanos Explorer shining its lights into the deep blue, revealing nature’s hidden gems and connecting us all to the wonders beneath the waves.
Climate action takes a hit, too. Mr. Trump dismisses ocean acidification and rising sea levels as concerns, even joking that higher seas create “more oceanfront property”. His push to fast-track offshore oil leases and block wind farms (which he calls “ugly”) sidelines renewable energy progress. Meanwhile, fisheries cheer deregulation, but scientists warn it could collapse vulnerable ecosystems already stressed by warming waters26.
The long-term cost? Coastal communities and marine life pay the price. Coral reefs, shellfish beds, and Arctic ecosystems face heightened risks from pollution and habitat loss. While industries gain temporary flexibility, the lack of safeguards leaves oceans—and the economies that rely on them—more exposed to climate-driven crises. As one expert put it: “It’s a throwback to the 1960s, treating the ocean as inexhaustible”. Spoiler: it’s not.
©Copyright 2024 – Nueva Aquanauts Club All right reserved