<p><strong>In a new picture released Wednesday—the 25th anniversary of the rediscovery of the R.M.S. <em>Titanic—</em>rust "icicles" plague bow railings and anchor equipment on the 2.4-mile-deep (3.8-kilometer-deep) shipwreck.</strong></p><p><strong> (See <a href="http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/discovering-titanic.html">pictures of <em>Titanic'</em>s 1985 rediscovery</a>.)</strong></p><p>This and other images of <em>Titanic</em> in late August are among the first results of the ongoing <a href="http://www.expeditiontitanic.com/">Expedition Titanic</a>. Its goals: to use acoustic imaging, sonar, and 3-D video to virtually preserve <em>Titanic</em> in its current state and to help determine just how far gone the shipwreck is and how long it might last. (Read <a id="m9bi" title="&quot;Titanic Is Falling Apart.&quot;" href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/08/100818-titanic-3-d-expedition-shipwreck-science-collapsing/">"Titanic Is Falling Apart."</a>)</p><p>Due to recent hurricane activity, the expedition crew is currently docked in <a href="http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/map-machine#s=r&amp;c=47.57337989504866, -52.71832264">St. John's, Newfoundland (map)</a>, some 350 miles (560 kilometers) from <em>Titanic'</em>s North Atlantic resting place—but the team is eager to get back to work.</p><p>"What we have witnessed, so far, has been nothing but extraordinary," Chris Davino, CEO of Premier Exhibitions, Inc., said in a press statement. "We are anxious to return to the site and continue this groundbreaking expedition," added Davino, whose company's <a href="http://www.rmstitanic.net/">RMS Titanic, Inc.</a>, division organized the expedition with <a id="i2v_" title="Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution" href="http://www.whoi.edu/">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a>.</p><p><em>—With reporting by Brian Handwerk</em></p>

Titanic Bows to Nature

In a new picture released Wednesday—the 25th anniversary of the rediscovery of the R.M.S. Titanic—rust "icicles" plague bow railings and anchor equipment on the 2.4-mile-deep (3.8-kilometer-deep) shipwreck.

(See pictures of Titanic's 1985 rediscovery.)

This and other images of Titanic in late August are among the first results of the ongoing Expedition Titanic. Its goals: to use acoustic imaging, sonar, and 3-D video to virtually preserve Titanic in its current state and to help determine just how far gone the shipwreck is and how long it might last. (Read "Titanic Is Falling Apart.")

Due to recent hurricane activity, the expedition crew is currently docked in St. John's, Newfoundland (map), some 350 miles (560 kilometers) from Titanic's North Atlantic resting place—but the team is eager to get back to work.

"What we have witnessed, so far, has been nothing but extraordinary," Chris Davino, CEO of Premier Exhibitions, Inc., said in a press statement. "We are anxious to return to the site and continue this groundbreaking expedition," added Davino, whose company's RMS Titanic, Inc., division organized the expedition with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

—With reporting by Brian Handwerk

Photograph courtesy Premier Exhibitions, Inc. and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

New Titanic Pictures Mark 25th Anniversary of Discovery

On the 25th anniversary of Titanic's rediscovery, high-resolution images from a new expedition are shedding light on the shipwreck.

Read This Next

Is banning fishing bad for fishermen? Not in this marine reserve
SeaWorld allegedly violated the Animal Welfare Act. Why is it still open?
'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet