Broken Arctic sea ice in the wake of the US Coast Guard ice breaker HEALY during scientific studies in the Chukchi Sea.

Ice over the Chukchi Plateau.

Broken Arctic sea ice in the wake of the US Coast Guard Icebreaker HEALY during scientific studies in the Chukchi Sea.

Ice bergs, ice floes and scientists on the ice in the Chukchi Sea.

An ice berg in the Chukchi Sea.

Scientist standing next to the bow of the U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker HEALY.

Researcher, standing on an ice floe, looking for a seal to capture.

Researcher, standing on an ice floe, pointing at a seal to capture.

Researcher with net, moving to capture seal on ice berg.

The USCG Icebreaker HEALY cuts through ice sheets in the Arctic Ocean to ferry scientists to various research locations where they will conduct scientific research on marine life in all realms of the Canada Basin, one of the deepest parts of the Arctic Ocean.

Sea-ice overturned by the moving icebreaker USCG Icebreaker HEALY during a NOAA-sponsored expedition to study the marine life of the Canada Basin.

Sea-ice overturned by the moving icebreaker USCG Icebreaker HEALY during a NOAA-sponsored expedition to study the marine life of the Canada Basin.

The fresh fallen snow accumulates in bands on the open water, while the blue and grey melt ponds and puddles cover parts of the ice floe in the background.

All along the HEALY's track, the ice floes are covered with melt puddles, and the freshwater created by the ice melt can lower the salt content of the surface water of the ocean. Ice floes turned around by the moving icebreaker frequently show a rotten appearance due to the melting processes occurring in all levels of the ice sheets.

Sea-ice overturned by the moving icebreaker USCG Icebreaker HEALY during a NOAA-sponsored expedition to study the marine life of the Canada Basin.

Sea-ice overturned by the moving icebreaker USCG Icebreaker HEALY during a NOAA-sponsored expedition to study the marine life of the Canada Basin.

Ice floes turned around by the moving icebreaker frequently show a rotten appearance due to the melting processes occurring in all levels of the ice sheets.

Ice floes turned around by the moving icebreaker frequently show a rotten appearance due to the melting processes occurring in all levels of the ice sheets.

Ice floes turned around by the moving icebreaker frequently show a rotten appearance due to the melting processes occurring in all levels of the ice sheets.

A CTD cast and rosette full of water sampling containers are lowered into icy Arctic waters during the NOAA-sponsored cruise to study marine life in the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean.

A CTD cast and rosette full of water sampling containers are lowered into icy Arctic waters during the NOAA-sponsored cruise to study marine life in the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean.

DSSI's Global Explorer ROV descends under icy waters to study marine life in the Canada Basin, one of the deepest parts of the Arctic Ocean. Parts of the ROV have been specially configured to handle cold, and deep ocean conditions. NOAA-OER funded partial development of the ROV which was a primary tool aiding scientists in the discovery of several new species.

Midnight sun, melting Arctic ice, open leads, and cirrus clouds.

Midnight sun, melting Arctic ice, open leads, and cirrus clouds.

Midnight sun, melting Arctic ice, open leads, and cirrus clouds.

Midnight sun, melting Arctic ice, open leads, and cirrus clouds.

Midnight sun, melting Arctic ice, open leads, and cirrus clouds.

Rolf Gradinger is silhouetted by the Arctic sun while collecting an ice core.

Round melt pools of fresh water on the surface of disintegrating ice flows.

There are strange things done 'neath the midnight sun but the strangest of them all is Arctic scientists taking samples far, far from any solid land.

Scientist working on Arctic ice beneath the midnight sun.

Scientists gather samples from a sea ice melt pond in the middle of the Arctic night.

Scientist listening for real-time sounds of marine mammals and other marine fauna.

Midnight sun, melting Arctic ice, open leads, and cirrus clouds.

Midnight sun, melting Arctic ice, open leads, and cirrus clouds.

Scientists in an endless vista of ice, sea, and meltwater as seen from the USCG Icebreaker HEALY.

Transportation off the ship as a scientist is being transported to the ice surface from the USCG Icebreaker HEALY under the midnight sun.

Scientist testing the waters so to speak with the USCG Icebreaker HEALY in the background.

Testing to see if the fresh water will freeze while discharging from a living fountain.

Scientist making observations in Arctic waters.

Sometimes you just have to take a few moments to enjoy the surroundings. Taking advantage of a form fitting ice structure.

Scientific divers preparing to go under the ice to study ice configuration and life forms.

Mette Nielson and Rolf Gradinger work on ice cores Understanding the role of sea-ice in the Arctic food will help scientists determine what impact declining ice cover might have on the Arctic community as a whole.

Scientists working on the ice beneath the midnight sun.

Sue Moore listening intently to real-time sounds captured by an underwater hydrophone. This technique is widely used in marine mammal studies.

Muddy scientists checking out the bottom trawl net for creatures.

Katrin Iken (left) and Bodil Bluhm move deep-sea mud from the trawl net to a bucket. The benthic scientists will sieve the mud to find creatures within it for additional research.

The US Coast Guard Icebreaker HEALY.

Scientists descending to the ice below from the manlift on the U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker HEALY. Icebreaker HEALY.

Scientists descending to the ice below from the manlift on the U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker HEALY.