Journal Article

Sea Acceptance Trials of the Multibeam Echosounder and Subbottom Profiler

Pacault, Anne, Le Gall, Yves, Yearta, Marisa, Gates, Timothy, Floc'h, Henri, Raineault, Nicole A, Johnson, Paul, Duduyer, Sarah, Lurton, Xavier, Augustin, Jean-Marie, Beaudoin, Jonathan, Vrignaud, Christophe

2014

Overview

A new seafloor mapping system was installed on E/V Nautilus in early 2013, revolutionizing the way the ship explores the ocean. Not only can the Kongsberg EM 302 multibeam echosounder (Figure 1) create maps of the seafloor, it can also provide information on bottom type from backscatter data, similar to the side-scan sonar Diana. Additionally, the multibeam can be used to locate plumes in the water column created by hydrothermal vents or gas or oil seeps. Together with the new Knudsen 3260 subbottom profiler, these acoustic instruments will provide improved maps of the seafloor to help scientists choose dive locations and to improve situational awareness for navigators and ROV pilots. Data are archived at NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center, allowing anyone to obtain raw or gridded seafloor bathymetric data collected during Nautilus's exploratory cruises.