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A coordinated multi-year ocean exploration campaign on the Blake Plateau offshore of the southeastern U.S. has mapped what appears to be the most expansive cold-water coral (CWC) mound province thus far discovered. Nearly continuous CWC mound features span an area up to 500 km long and 110 km wide, with a core area of high-density mounds up to 254 km long by 42 km wide. This study synthesized bathymetric data from 31 multibeam sonar mapping surveys and generated a standardized geomorphic classification of the region in order to delineate and quantify CWC mound habitats and compare mound morphologies among subregions of the coral province. Based on the multibeam bathymetry, a total of 83,908 individual peak features were delineated, providing the first estimate of the overall number of potential CWC mounds mapped in the region to date. Five geomorphic landform classes were mapped and quantified: peaks (411 km2), valleys (3598 km2), ridges (3642 km2), slopes (23,082 km2), and flats (102,848 km2). The complex geomorphology of eight subregions was described qualitatively with geomorphic “fingerprints” (spatial patterns) and quantitatively by measurements of mound density and vertical relief. This study demonstrated the value of applying an objective automated terrain segmentation and classification approach to geomorphic characterization of a highly complex CWC mound province. Manual delineation of these features in a consistent repeatable way with a comparable level of detail would not have been possible.

The article discusses the work of NOAA Ocean Exploration in exploring deep waters and discovering scientific, economic, and cultural treasures. Between 2024 and 2026, NOAA Ocean Exploration will conduct exploratory seafloor mapping and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) explorations in the Pacific Basin. The article emphasizes the importance of community-driven archaeology and the involvement of the Asia-Pacific archaeology community in contributing to research prioritization and participating in live operations. NOAA Ocean Exploration aims to fill gaps in our understanding of the marine environment and protect ocean health while enhancing our appreciation of the ocean's significance. The article highlights the community-driven model of exploration, which involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including state, local, and tribal governments, as well as Indigenous communities, to address data gaps and prioritize archaeological research. The program invites archaeologists, historians, and resource managers to submit their priorities directly to NOAA Ocean Exploration, and sensitive data is protected through non-disclosure agreements. The article provides two case studies that demonstrate the importance of partner collaboration in marine archaeology investigations. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of partnerships and international collaboration in exploring and protecting underwater cultural heritage resources in the Pacific Basin. [Extracted from the article]