The deepest parts of the ocean are one of the final remaining frontiers of discovery on our planet. Much of the deep ocean is unmapped and draws in explorers, scientists, cartographers and environmentalists, keen to discover its secrets. Underwater seascapes, comparable in size and complexity to our known continents, unknown ecosystems and processes that defy study from the surface means there are many gaps in our knowledge that science is hoping to fill. Due to the challenges of research at even moderate depths, almost every expedition venturing below 3000 m throws up a surprise.

Heather Stewart has been lucky enough to participate on a number of expeditions to explore the deepest sea-floors and will share some of what these diverse expedition teams have learned. Heather is lead geologist for the Inkfish Open Ocean Program that brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers to make our view of the deep ocean sharper than ever before.