This video was made when Matthew was at APL/UW, but describes the science and adventure behind the Samoan Passage project pretty well.
A documentary special about a team of oceanographers chasing down 800 foot tall SUPERWAVES-- waves taller than sky scrapers-- that build and crest 15 thousand feet deep beneath the surface of the sea.
These SUPERWAVES, also called "internal waves" are strong enough to push a full size submarine to the bottom of the seafloor and move enough water to affect the earth's climate.