Ocean Imaging Overview Teams Projects Publications Latest News Technologies Data From geological processes to the intricate structure of animals, visualizing the ocean in a variety of ways gives researchers a more complete picture of marine ecosystems. MBARI scientists and engineers work together to develop, build, and deploy tools that are transforming the way we “see” the ocean and its inhabitants.High-resolution cameras deployed on underwater robots allow researchers to directly observe marine life, while acoustic technologies use sound waves to map habitats and biological communities from the surface to the seafloor. Advancements in these technologies have transformed how scientists study and understand dynamic ocean environments—from sediments and rocks to delicate drifters.These teams and projects are using cutting-edge tools to image the ocean and the life it sustains. Read More Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Teams All Teams Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Team Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory The Control, Modeling, Perception for Autonomous Systems (CoMPAS) Laboratory aims to develop and transfer technology for making ocean exploration more accessible and widespread, and to help answer several questions that remain open about our planet. Benthic Biology and Ecology Team Benthic Biology and Ecology The Benthic Biology Team studies the diversity of life on the seafloor, from exploring deep-sea habitats to measuring the effect of ocean change on the lives of marine animals. Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate. Bioinspiration Lab Team Bioinspiration Lab The Bioinspiration Lab brings the ocean into the lab, and the lab into the ocean, by developing advanced imaging systems and algorithms to study marine life. Midwater Ecology Team Midwater Ecology The Midwater Ecology Team studies the animals of the oceanic water column directly, using undersea vehicles to carry cameras, instruments, tools, and samplers into their deep habitat. Seafloor Mapping Lab Team Seafloor Mapping Lab The Seafloor Mapping Team collects multi-scale seafloor bathymetry and imaging data with precision navigation to produce efficient, high-resolution, and repeatable characterizations of deep-sea sites. Biodiversity and Biooptics Team Biodiversity and Biooptics Gelatinous predators such as ctenophores, siphonophores, and hydromedusae display dazzling body forms and behaviors, and provide surprising linkages across the oceanic food web. Projects All Projects Piscivore Team Piscivore MBARI’s Piscivore camera system uses underwater robots to observe ocean predators and their dynamic surroundings. Detecting Episodic Export Events Team Detecting Episodic Export Events Ecology of Marine Snow Team Ecology of Marine Snow Terrain Relative Navigation Team Terrain Relative Navigation Improving vehicle navigation in real-time by localizing relative to an existing map. Low Altitude Survey System Team Low Altitude Survey System Bringing mapping systems closer to the seafloor to achieve precision-controlled centimeter-scale bathymetry and millimeter-scale imagery. Octopus Garden Team Octopus Garden MBARI research and technology have revealed that thermal springs at the base of Davidson Seamount are an important nursery for the deep-sea pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus). Respiration Studies Team Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Food Web Dynamics Team Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California. Behavior Studies Team Behavior Studies Behavior patterns of deep-sea animals have long been a subject of mystery and speculation. Because of access provided by MBARI’s ROVs, detailed observations of the behavior of these animals have become possible for the first time. Vertical Migration Studies Team Vertical Migration Studies Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean’s biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon. Age and Growth Studies Team Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience. Publications All Publications Clague, D.A., J.F. Martin, J.B. Paduan, D.A. Butterfield, J.W. Jamieson, M. Le Saout, D.W. Caress, H. Thomas, J.F. Holden, and D.S. Kelley. 2020. Hydrothermal chimney distribution on the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 21: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC008917 Latest News All News News Advanced MBARI technology aids efforts to research fragile deep-sea animals News 01.17.24 News Innovative MBARI technology reveals processes that sculpt submarine canyons News 07.12.23 News Next-generation underwater lidar technology aims to map the ocean floor in remarkable detail Behind the Scenes 06.20.23 Technologies All Technologies Software MB-System Technology MB-System Open source software for processing and display of multibeam and sidescan sonar data. Software MATLAB Scripts Technology MATLAB Scripts MATLAB scripts for oceanographic calculations Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class Seafloor Mapping AUV Technology Seafloor Mapping AUV The Dorado class autonomous underwater vehicles are optimized for meter-scale seafloor mapping. Data All Data Data Monterey Bay Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Repeat Mapping Bathymetry Data from repeat, high-resolution, multibeam, bathymetric surveys of the Monterey Canyon floor with MBARI’s mapping AUVs Data Spatial Temporal Oceanographic Query System (STOQS) Data STOQS is open-source software that provides new capabilities for scientists to gain insight from oceanographic data
Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Team Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory The Control, Modeling, Perception for Autonomous Systems (CoMPAS) Laboratory aims to develop and transfer technology for making ocean exploration more accessible and widespread, and to help answer several questions that remain open about our planet.
Benthic Biology and Ecology Team Benthic Biology and Ecology The Benthic Biology Team studies the diversity of life on the seafloor, from exploring deep-sea habitats to measuring the effect of ocean change on the lives of marine animals.
Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate.
Bioinspiration Lab Team Bioinspiration Lab The Bioinspiration Lab brings the ocean into the lab, and the lab into the ocean, by developing advanced imaging systems and algorithms to study marine life.
Midwater Ecology Team Midwater Ecology The Midwater Ecology Team studies the animals of the oceanic water column directly, using undersea vehicles to carry cameras, instruments, tools, and samplers into their deep habitat.
Seafloor Mapping Lab Team Seafloor Mapping Lab The Seafloor Mapping Team collects multi-scale seafloor bathymetry and imaging data with precision navigation to produce efficient, high-resolution, and repeatable characterizations of deep-sea sites.
Biodiversity and Biooptics Team Biodiversity and Biooptics Gelatinous predators such as ctenophores, siphonophores, and hydromedusae display dazzling body forms and behaviors, and provide surprising linkages across the oceanic food web.
Piscivore Team Piscivore MBARI’s Piscivore camera system uses underwater robots to observe ocean predators and their dynamic surroundings.
Terrain Relative Navigation Team Terrain Relative Navigation Improving vehicle navigation in real-time by localizing relative to an existing map.
Low Altitude Survey System Team Low Altitude Survey System Bringing mapping systems closer to the seafloor to achieve precision-controlled centimeter-scale bathymetry and millimeter-scale imagery.
Octopus Garden Team Octopus Garden MBARI research and technology have revealed that thermal springs at the base of Davidson Seamount are an important nursery for the deep-sea pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus).
Respiration Studies Team Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ).
Food Web Dynamics Team Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California.
Behavior Studies Team Behavior Studies Behavior patterns of deep-sea animals have long been a subject of mystery and speculation. Because of access provided by MBARI’s ROVs, detailed observations of the behavior of these animals have become possible for the first time.
Vertical Migration Studies Team Vertical Migration Studies Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean’s biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon.
Age and Growth Studies Team Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience.
Clague, D.A., J.F. Martin, J.B. Paduan, D.A. Butterfield, J.W. Jamieson, M. Le Saout, D.W. Caress, H. Thomas, J.F. Holden, and D.S. Kelley. 2020. Hydrothermal chimney distribution on the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 21: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC008917
News Next-generation underwater lidar technology aims to map the ocean floor in remarkable detail Behind the Scenes 06.20.23
Software MB-System Technology MB-System Open source software for processing and display of multibeam and sidescan sonar data.
Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class Seafloor Mapping AUV Technology Seafloor Mapping AUV The Dorado class autonomous underwater vehicles are optimized for meter-scale seafloor mapping.
Data Monterey Bay Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Repeat Mapping Bathymetry Data from repeat, high-resolution, multibeam, bathymetric surveys of the Monterey Canyon floor with MBARI’s mapping AUVs
Data Spatial Temporal Oceanographic Query System (STOQS) Data STOQS is open-source software that provides new capabilities for scientists to gain insight from oceanographic data