Envisioning an Interconnected Ocean: Understanding the Links Between Geological Ocean Structure and Coastal Communities in the Pacific

Covering nearly one third of the Earth's surface, the Pacific Ocean contains many significant interconnected geologic features extending into the coastal zone and the islands themselves. Trenches, ridges, seamount chains, faults, and fracture zones are not only fundamental expressions of Earth processes but also fundamental to life. Without awareness of these features and their natural and cultural importance, marine management and global understanding will remain disjointed. The Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) will spend the next several years in the Pacific conducting scientific expeditions to better understand the ocean through seafloor mapping and ocean exploration. Western ocean science is one of many ways to perceive and value the structural features of the Pacific. Communities across Pacific islands—often volcanic peaks emerging from deep below—are interconnected by water and by the underlying seafloor. We acknowledge the knowledge from local communities and recognize the multitude of ways to conceptualize and relate to the Pacific. With the University of Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Center (CRC), OET seeks to collaborate with local communities to reveal the structural significance and interconnected nature of oceanic features, making a link to the livelihoods of Pacific islanders. Further objectives would be co-designed with partners from local communities.