Allison Fundis ’03

Exploring ocean stories

BY ELOISE SCHULTZ ’16

Ever since Amelia Earhart vanished over the Pacific Ocean 80 years ago, her disappearance has mystified experts. In August 2019, a National Geographic-funded expedition led by Allison Fundis ’03 traveled to one of the suspected crash sites to continue the decades-long search. Earhart’s fate is one of the many oceanic mysteries that the crew of exploration vessel (E/V) Nautilus hoped to uncover, which brought them from their home port in California to Nikumaroro Island, located within the Republic of Kiribati. As chief operating officer for the Ocean Exploration Trust, founded by Robert Ballard, Fundis oversees annual deep-sea exploration expeditions in biology, geology, archaeology, and maritime history, as well as a robust educational and outreach program aboard E/V Nautilus. Her degree in human ecology has served her well, she reflects, apparent ever since she began working on research vessels and realized that the collaborative work of experts is much greater than any individual on a sea-going mission. “I love that the ocean exploration and research we do aboard

Nautilus adds knowledge to the planet’s biodiversity, how the earth fundamentally works,” says Fundis, “and ultimately informs how various groups can better manage and protect the global ocean.”

Since 2006, Fundis has led or participated in over 50 expeditions at sea and managed programs that are live streamed to audiences around the world. Along with researchers, the public can watch her team’s exploration in real time as the ship’s remotely operated vehicles investigate the seafloor with 4K and HD cameras at depths as great as 6,000 meters. There, they routinely see stunningly beautiful coral gardens and discover new species, but also occasionally see marine debris that’s drifted for thousands of miles. While the key mission of the Ocean Exploration Trust is to map and characterize stretches of the ocean and seafloor that have not been previously explored, Fundis and her team are equally dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of ocean health as well as serving as role models and mentors for the next generation.

In the weeks preceding “Expedition Amelia,” Fundis and her crew collected bathymetric data surrounding Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll in hopes of finding new species of deep-sea corals and sponges. Located inside the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, the region’s mineral-rich oceanic crust has been speculated by mining companies, and Fundis hopes that the information they gather can be used to develop more informed management policies for critical habitats. Later, they ventured to Nikumaroro to search for the remains of Earhart’s Lockheed Electra. As they traveled, the crew conducted systematic mapping of the seafloor to better understand marine habitat and the geological history of previously unexplored areas.

By sharing their findings with the public, the crew of E/V Nautilus promote the importance of ocean research and the role of the ocean as a life-support system for the planet. They also offer internships and educator fellowship programs as part of their mission to promote hands-on experiences in ocean exploration, research, and communications. Whether at sea or onshore, Fundis and her team are preparing the next generation of researchers, explorers, and science communicators to make discoveries about the world’s oceans and the lives within them.

To follow the results of “Expedition Amelia,” check out the two-hour National Geographic special about the voyage, which aired on October 20, 2019, or learn more about the work of the Ocean Exploration Trust at nautiluslive.org.