After a 15-year quest involving over 1,000 remotely operated vehicle dives, researchers from the Ocean Exploration Trust aboard the E/V Nautilus have finally spotted the elusive Palau nautilus in the western Pacific Ocean. This primitive cephalopod, unchanged since the age of the dinosaurs, was observed using jet propulsion to move along the seafloor. The discovery marks a significant milestone for the team, who expressed excitement and joy at witnessing this ancient creature in its natural habitat.
Researchers have conducted the first detailed search of three deep-sea shipwrecks from the Battle of Midway, providing new insights into this critical turning point in World War II. Using remote-controlled vessels, the crew surveyed the USS Yorktown, as well as the wreckage of the Japanese Imperial Navy's Akagi and Kaga, documenting armament, battle damage, and sinking-related details. The project aims to document and assess important war grave sites for American and Japanese sailors, honoring the hundreds of sailors who lost their lives in the conflict. The Battle of Midway, which took place in June 1942, resulted in the sinking of seven major ships and over 3,400 service member casualties.
