COBRA Webinar – April 2026

Ocean Exploration to support seafloor mineral resource management

Dr. Adam Soule (University of Rhode Island, NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute)

The US has supported systematic exploration of the deep sea for twenty years. These activities, including operations, technology development, and engagement have provided important data for a range of stakeholders and, in addition, positioned the Ocean Exploration community to contribute to our understanding of deep sea mineral resources and their environments. The Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute has been essential to this endeavor and reflects how investment in basic research is necessary to ensure the capacity exists as new national needs emerge. This presentation will examine the range of OECI activities that are reflective of the virtuous cycle of basic research and national needs.