NOAA and Partners to Explore, Map Deep Waters of American Samoa
NOAA plans two Okeanos Explorer expeditions off American Samoa. They run August to October 2026 in the top US region for seabed minerals.
MMA Advances Potential Minerals Lease Sale Off Northern Mariana Islands
A minerals lease sale is proposed off the Northern Mariana Islands. The governor has to October 19, and the sale is set for December 16.
What Are Marine Critical Minerals?
Marine critical minerals are the metals lying on the ocean floor. NOAA sets out what they are and where the deposits form.
Parliament Question: Deep Ocean Mission (Lok Sabha, August 12, 2026)
India's NIOT trialled its seabed mining system in the Indian Ocean. Trials reached 5,270 metres at the CIOB site allocated by the ISA.
Marine Critical Minerals in the Cook Islands: A Preliminary Look
The Cook Islands seafloor is carpeted in polymetallic nodules. NOAA's preliminary look reports dense fields inside the country's waters.
Parliament Question: Impact and Achievements of the Deep Ocean Mission (Lok Sabha, August 5, 2026)
Minister Jitendra Singh briefed Lok Sabha on Deep Ocean Mission gains. It cites a 100kg nodule haul from 1,173m and the first imaged active vent.
Korean and Japanese Law of the Sea Scholars Discuss the Future of Ocean Law in Busan
Korean and Japanese scholars met on the future of ocean law. Straits passage and deep-seabed minerals were the two questions.
Giant Polymetallic Nodule
During the IOM-2024 expedition, researchers recovered what is likely the largest polymetallic nodule found in the IOM exploration area.
A mid-ocean ridge revealed by 3D magnetic modeling: New geologic map of Escanaba Trough
USGS and partners map Escanaba Trough in 3D, revealing the magma plumbing behind its seafloor massive sulfide deposits.
The 86th Meeting of the IOM Council
IOM's 86th Council met in Szczecin from 18 to 22 May 2026, covering the 2027 budget, the ISA contract extension and seabed law.