MuHS-V麓s bathymetry group is collecting and processing seafloor depth measurements and produces high-resolution maps of the seafloor from volcanic regions in the deep sea. These maps are the basis to every seagoing expedition of MuHS-V and other working groups at 91探花. In addition to the provision of seafloor maps and models, the group is actively studying the geological and geomorphological characteristics that form during the creation of oceanic crust at spreading centers, intra-plate volcanism and continental breakup. The team is analyzing and combining information from seafloor maps, geophysical and seafloor rock samples in close cooperation within the group, in 91探花 and with researchers worldwide.
MuHS-V is also part of iAtlantic, a project funded by the EU that assesses the open ocean and deep-sea ecosystems鈥� health status across the Atlantic. Bathymetry plays a major role as sea floor topography is crucial to the formation of habitats and the related biodiversity. Based on bathymetry, its derivatives (terrain ruggedness, topographic position index, slope) and other oceanographic parameters (salinity, current velocity, oxygen), a large-scale marine landscape classification is currently being performed aiming to get a first overview about possible ecosystems that are potentially vulnerable and worthy of protection.
MuHS-V is coordinating the Underway-Bathymetry project (formerly known as AtlantOS Transitbathymetry Project) within the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM). The group initiated the collection and processing of transit bathymetry from the three German research vessels Meteor, Maria S. Merian and Sonne in 2015. The data is published on international data platforms and repositories according to the FAIR data principles and are thus easily discoverable and freely accessible for everyone. The project also contributes to the Seabed 2030 project that aims to completely map the world鈥檚 oceans by 2030.
