Mapping the True 3D Morphology of Deep-Sea Canyons
Abstract
The importance of submarine canyons as ecosystem hotspots and sediment transport pathways has been recognised for decades (e.g. Heezen et al., 1955; Vetter & Dayton, 1998). However, studying canyon systems in detail is a challenge, because of the complexity and steepness of the terrain. Acoustic surveys are hampered by side-echoes, while the high slope angles cause most types of sampling equipment, deployed from surface vessels, to fail. Ship-borne bathymetric surveys tend to represent the canyon topography in an overly smoothed way as a result of their limited resolution in deep water compared to the scale of the terrain variability. Moreover, it is clear that overhanging cliffs cannot be mapped correctly with traditional, downward looking multibeam echosounders. The increasing availability of underwater vehicles, however, opens new opportunities. During summer 2009, we mapped several submarine canyon habitats in detail, using the UK deep-water Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ISIS. In particular, we developed a new methodology to map vertical cliffs and overhangs by placing the high-resolution Simrad SM2000 multibeam system of the ROV in a forward-looking position rather than in the traditional downward-looking configuration. The cliff morphology was then mapped by moving the ROV laterally in parallel passes at different depths. Repeating this approach at different distances from the cliff face, we obtained maps of varying resolution and extent. The low resolution maps provide an overview of the general geological framework, while individual strata and faunal colonies can be recognised on the highest resolution maps. Using point-cloud models, we combined the ship-borne bathymetry with the ROV-based data, in order to obtain a true 3D seabed morphology of the canyon study site, which can be used for fly-throughs, geomorphological analysis or habitat mapping. With this approach, we could visualise the spatial structure and density distribution of a unique and previously unknown cold-water coral reef, formed as a hanging garden under a 1600 m long and 120 m high overhanging wall, at 1350 m water depth in the Whittard Canyon, NE Atlantic margin. Heezen, B.C., Ewing, M. and Menzies, R. (1955). The influence of submarine turbidity currents on abyssal productivity. Oikos, 6, 170-182. Vetter, E.W. & Dayton, P.K. (1998). Macrofaunal communities within and adjacent to a detritus-rich submarine canyon system. Deep-Sea Research II, 45, 25-54.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010AGUFMOS12B..07H
- Keywords:
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- 0933 EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS / Remote sensing;
- 3045 MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS / Seafloor morphology;
- geology;
- and geophysics;
- 3080 MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS / Submergence instruments: ROV;
- AUV;
- submersibles