Technical Focus:
High resolution mapping of the deep ocean seafloor using the MBARI Mapping AUV, an autonomous underwater vehicle equipped with multibeam, sidescan, and subbottom profiler sonars.
Techniques for the processing of swath mapping sonar data.
Photographic imaging of the seafloor
Current Science Interests:
Morphology and sediment transport processes in submarine canyons
Morphology and tectonics of oceanic spreading centers
Morphology and tectonics of seamounts
Morphology and subsurface structure of gas hydrate deposits and outcrops
Current Development Projects:
MB-System – an open source software package for the processing and display of swath mapping sonar data.
Ocean Imaging – Development project for low altitude seafloor surveys. We are working to combine stereo still photography with high-frequency multibeam sonar on ROV and AUV platforms flying at 2-3 m altitudes. Our goal is to obtain fully three-dimensional models of the seafloor combining topography on scales of ~5 cm with color photography.This is a long term effort that will require several years.
The Usual Stuff:
Curriculum Vitae – Caress
Publications – Caress