gov.noaa.ncei.oer:BermudaCaves2009 eng; USA utf8 BermudaCaves2009 dataset collection level metadata NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact 2026-03-25T12:30:04 ISO 19115-2 Geographic information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves 2009 on the R/V Endurance between 20090905 and 20090930 BermudaCaves2009 2013-06 creation Dr. Thomas Iliffe 409-740-4454 409-740-5001 Texas A&M University at Galveston 5007 Avenue U Galveston TX 77551 USA iliffet@tamug.edu principalInvestigator NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information publisher Deep-water marine caves are one of the Earth's last largely unexplored frontiers of undiscovered fauna (animal life). More than 150 limestone caves are known to exist in or near the island of Bermuda. Many of these caves have extensive but relatively shallow submerged portions that connect to the sea via tidal springs along the coastline. These inland caves are inhabited by a number of diverse eyeless and colorless crustaceans and other invertebrates. Many of these organisms are "living fossils"; and some are most closely related to deep-sea organisms. While previous investigations of marine caves have been limited to those within shallow depths (less than 50 meters/164 feet), current research suggests that caves can occur at almost any depth within the sea. The geological history of Bermuda, coupled with biological evidence (cave-adapted species), indicates a strong possibility for the presence of deep-water caves near the island. Thus, Bermuda offers an idea location to search for and to study deep-water caves. The goal of the Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves expedition is to explore and characterize the upper edge of the Bermuda Pedestal and two adjacent mid-ocean seamounts to confirm the existence of deep-water (60- to 200-meter/197- to 656-foot depth) caves. We will also document wave-cut notches, drown reefs, terraces, and other features formed during Ice Age low sea stands of the Pleistocene epoch (roughly defined as the time period between 1.8 million to around 10,000 years ago). Dr. Thomas Iliffe 409-740-4454 409-740-5001 Texas A&M University at Galveston 5007 Avenue U Galveston TX 77551 USA iliffet@tamug.edu principalInvestigator Dr. Nicolas Alvarado 727-209-5955 727-824-5364 NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research 263 13th Avenue South SUITE 113, RM 354 St. Petersburg FL 33701 USA Nicolas.Alvarado@noaa.gov pointOfContact unknown BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE HABITAT BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > REEF HABITAT OCEANS > BATHYMETRY/SEAFLOOR TOPOGRAPHY > CONTINENTAL MARGINS OCEANS > COASTAL PROCESSES > SEA LEVEL RISE theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2025 revision 22 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian expedition exploration explorer marine education noaa ocean ocean discovery ocean education ocean exploration ocean exploration and research OER ocean literacy ocean research science scientific mission scientific research sea stewardship systematic exploration technology transformational research undersea underwater Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) Program Discovery Keywords NOAA/OAR/OER - Ocean Exploration and Research 301-734-1014 301-713-4252 1315 East-West Hwy, SSMC3, #10210 Silver Spring MD 20910 USA oceanexplorer@noaa.gov 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday resourceProvider This is a list of static and vetted keywords to assist in search and discovery of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) program-related records. mid-ocean seamount deep-water caves technical diving karstic sinkholes drowned reefs theme None Bermuda Green Bay Cave Harrington Sound Bermuda Pedestal Bermuda Platform Challenger Bank Bowditch Seamount Argus Bank place None otherRestrictions otherRestrictions Access Constraints: No access constraints. Use Constraints: No use constraints. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) largerWorkCitation program eng; USA oceans biota environment -65.83 -64 31.83 33 ground condition 2009-09-05 2009-09-30 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information distributor https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/maps/oer-digital-atlas/mapsOE.htm information asNeeded R/V Endurance 2013 creation Endurance The R/V Endurance, owned by the Bermuda Zoological Society, is a Guimond 45 from Millennium Marine, 2008. It is a New Brunswick Lobster boat style hull, with an extended cabin. It is 45 feet long, by 16 feet beam and has a draft of approximately 5 ft. It is powered by a single 650 horsepower commercial Scania engine with 175 hours on it and a bow thruster. It holds 800 gallons of diesel, with a range of approximately 800 miles. It has an 8KW generator, and an inverter, with numerous AC outlets. It has a head and hot water shower. The galley has plenty of counter space for a wet lab, microwave, stove, and fridge. Two tables in the lounge provide seating for 12. It is rated for 50 pax inshore, 30 to 12 miles out, and 12 pax in the open sea. It has a Simrad cx44 chart plotter, Simrad radar and Simrad autopilot, in addition to a Raytheon depth sounder. A set of stairs run down from the deck and exit out the stern at water level through a wide door.