25/05/2026
Successful Deep-Sea Research Voyage Between Fiji and Tonga Waters
From the deep waters between Fiji and Tonga, an incredible 33-day scientific voyage aboard the RV Thomas G. Thompson has officially come to a successful end.
From 18 April to 20 May 2026, an international team of scientists and students carried out groundbreaking research across the Valu Fa Ridge (VFR), Eastern Lau Spreading Center (ELSC), Mangatolu Triple Junction (MTJ), and Fonualei Spreading Center (FSC) to better understand hydrothermal vent ecosystems and the impacts of the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption beneath our oceans. The research mission was completed successfully, with scientists achieving important research objectives throughout the voyage.
The mission also included Endurance Energy offshore geothermal research, which was to conduct in situ equipment testing and resource exploration related to subsea geothermal power generation within Tonga's EEZ.
The participating group was led by Roxanne Beinart (URI) and Andy Davies (ashore), alongside Shawn Arellano (Chief Scientist) (WWU), and Jay Dimond, Jill McDermott (Lehigh University), Didier Jollivet (ashore), Holly Bik (University of Georgia), Eli Simmons (Endurance Energy), and Ms. Tupou Ika, Senior Geological Assistant from the Tonga Geological Services, who participated as the geological observer representing the Government of Tonga.
Participating in this research will strengthen the technical capacity and practical experience of staff in the Natural Resources Division and give them valuable exposure to advanced scientific methods and deep-sea research.
A huge Malo ‘Aupito to the hosting Universities and Endurance Energy, also National Science Foundation (NSF) for the financial support, to the captain and crew of the Thomas G. Thompson for making this voyage possible, and to the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Spatial Planning and Natural Resources for allowing participation in this important and successful scientific expedition. 🌊🔬🇹🇴