A Spectacular Success | Ultra Fine-Scale Seafloor Mapping Expedition - Week 4

To the interdisciplinary team on Research Vessel Falkor (too), the #MappingGalapagosVents expedition was a spectacular success, providing a deeper understanding of complex ecosystems. This knowledge gives scientists and policymakers powerful tools for protecting Ocean habitats in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Going into another world is truly exhilarating - we are able to explore and reveal how connected we are to these otherworldly deep-sea habitats. What happens on land impacts the Ocean, which then impacts us on land. Led by Chief Scientist Dr. John Jamieson, the team tested technology to further the understanding of hydrothermal systems. They successfully used a sonar system new to scientific seafloor mapping - Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar (InSAS) - allowing them to locate features on the seafloor with greater accuracy and produce detailed, high-resolution maps. The technology combines bathymetric data with acoustic imagery, generating detailed maps using sound rather than light. Knowing the texture of the seafloor provides information on what types of animals can live there and this could really change our understanding of how ecosystems function. Explore with us: https://schmidtocean.org/cruise/ultra... Expedition: FKt231025 - Ultra Fine-Scale Seafloor Mapping Charles Darwin Foundation: @charlesdarwinfoundation Galapagos National Park: @parquegalapagos _________ We livestream all of our ROV dives on YouTube and Facebook! Newsletter link: https://mailchi.mp/schmidtocean.org/s... Join us on our oceanographic missions on our other social media platforms: YouTube:    / schmidtocean   Facebook:   / schmidtocean.  . Twitter:   / schmidtocean   Instagram:   / schmidtocean