In today's world, policy makers face increasing pressure to find long-term solutions to critical problems. Solutions to these problems may come from the ocean, by far the largest untapped resource potential on earth. Therefore, undersea research offers a great opportunity for new discovery and development. During the next few years HURL's Pacific-wide research projects will focus on deep-sea geology and ecosystems and their contribution to global climatic and ecosystem changes. Projects will include the geology and biology of emerging and subsiding islands, marine product and fishery assessments, and processes of submarine mineral accumulations on seamounts, volcanoes, and islands. Baseline information will be gathered on deep-sea marine ecosystems influenced by natural and man-induced processes.