Multisensor mapping of the deep seafloor with the Autonomous Benthic Explorer

Author

Yoerger, Dana R. ; Bradley, Albert M. ; Singh, Hanumant ; Walden, Barrie B. ; Cormier, Marie-Helene ; Ryan, William B F

Author_Institution

Woods Hole Oceanogr. Instn., MA, USA

fYear

2000

fDate

2000

Firstpage

248

Lastpage

253

Abstract

We used the Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE) to create maps of an active spreading center on the mid-ocean ridge at a depth of 2600 meters. We took advantage of ABEs precise navigation and bottom following capabilities and produced detailed bathymetric maps with a scanning sonar, and photo-mosaics using ABE´s video snapshot system, and measured the temperature and optical backscatter of the water. Refinement of ABE´s transponder fixes, based on using returns gathered at the vehicle, contributed to the consistency of the results

Keywords

bathymetry; navigation; sonar tracking; underwater vehicles; 2600 m; Autonomous Benthic Explorer; acoustic navigation; bathymetric maps; deep seafloor; mid-ocean ridge; multisensor mapping; optical backscatter; photo-mosaics; scanning sonar; temperature measurement; transponder; underwater vehicles; Acoustic sensors; Backscatter; Magnetic sensors; Optical sensors; Remotely operated vehicles; Sea floor; Sonar navigation; Temperature sensors; Transponders; Underwater vehicles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Underwater Technology, 2000. UT 00. Proceedings of the 2000 International Symposium on

Conference_Location

Tokyo

Print_ISBN

0-7803-6378-7

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/UT.2000.852552

Filename

852552