Seafloor Mapping Lab Overview Team Projects Publications Latest News Technologies Data Mapping the seafloor to image its structure and character is a fundamental type of observation used in oceanographic research. Repeated, geographically-accurate representations of the seafloor are essential for understanding the complexity of landscapes, the processes that create and disrupt them, and their functions as habitat. The MBARI Seafloor Mapping team seeks to achieve efficient surveys that are spatially accurate and repeatable, in complex terrain, and in the deep ocean. This work has been an important part of MBARI development and research for over two decades. Since 2004 we have used Dorado AUVs optimized for mapping to collect 1-meter (3.3 feet) scale topography, backscatter, and subbottom profiler data. Starting in 2011 we have used MBARI’s ROVs as platforms for low altitude surveys with sonar, lidar, and stereo cameras, that yield 1-centimeter (0.4 inch) resolution topography combined with 2-millimeter (0.08 inch) scale color photography. Whether at meter scale or centimeter scale, with repeated surveys our mapping tools have the capability to quantitatively measure change on the seafloor. Our AUV mapping data are being archived at the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). Sur Ridge Animation Click to learn more. Team Directory Seafloor Mapping Lab Dave Caress Principal Engineer Principal Investigator Jennifer B. Paduan Senior Research Specialist Low Altitude Survey System Dave Caress Principal Engineer Principal Investigator Charles K. Paull Senior Scientist Eric Martin Senior Electrical Engineer Knute Brekke ROV/MARS Manager Mike Burczynski ROV Pilot/Technician, ROV Ventana J. Andrew Hamilton Engineering Division Chair/ Mechanical Engineering Lead Rich Henthorn Senior Software Engineer Chad Kecy Senior Electrical Engineer Rob McEwen Control System Engineer DJ Osborne ROV Pilot/Technician, ROV Ventana Jennifer B. Paduan Senior Research Specialist Mike Risi Senior Software Engineer Mark Talkovic Chief ROV Pilot, ROV Doc Ricketts Bryan Touryan-Schaefer ROV Pilot, ROV Doc Ricketts Giancarlo Troni Principal Engineer Seafloor Mapping AUV Erik Trauschke Autonomous Systems Operations Manager Jordan Caress Dorado AUV Operations Engineer Randy Prickett AUV Operations Engineer Related Teams Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Project 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. Bioinspiration Lab Project 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. Projects All Projects Gulf of California Tectonics and Hydrothermal Systems Project Gulf of California Tectonics and Hydrothermal Systems Mapping and multidisciplinary investigations in the southern Gulf of California. Terrain Relative Navigation Project Terrain Relative Navigation Improving vehicle navigation in real-time by localizing relative to an existing map. Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Project Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Mapping the hydrothermal sites, lava flows, and geodetics of this active volcano. Low Altitude Survey System Project Low Altitude Survey System Bringing mapping systems closer to the seafloor to achieve precision-controlled centimeter-scale bathymetry and millimeter-scale imagery. Related Projects Arctic Shelf Edge Project Arctic Shelf Edge Investigating rapid changes in the seafloor morphology that have been discovered to occur under the Arctic Ocean. Cascadia Subduction Zone Project Cascadia Subduction Zone Deciphering the geologic records left by earthquake stimulated turbidity currents along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Project Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Studies of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems at Sur Ridge and Davidson Seamount focus on oceanographic and biological factors influencing their diversity and abundance. Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Project Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) The Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) is an extensive long-term effort to monitor turbidity currents in situ and at multiple locations simultaneously. Here you can find all the data and relevant metadata collected throughout this groundbreaking study. Morro Bay Windfarm Pockmarks Project Morro Bay Windfarm Pockmarks Understanding the origins and activity of the pockmarks and submarine channels offshore of Morro Bay is paramount to developing a proposed floating wind farm. The Octopus Garden Project The Octopus Garden Octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) breeding at deep-sea hydrothermal springs at the base of Davidson Seamount are a current focus of ecological research. Submarine Volcanism Project Submarine Volcanism Gulf of California Tectonics and Hydrothermal Systems Project Gulf of California Tectonics and Hydrothermal Systems Mapping and multidisciplinary investigations in the southern Gulf of California. Terrain Relative Navigation Project Terrain Relative Navigation Improving vehicle navigation in real-time by localizing relative to an existing map. Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Project Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Mapping the hydrothermal sites, lava flows, and geodetics of this active volcano. Low Altitude Survey System Project Low Altitude Survey System Bringing mapping systems closer to the seafloor to achieve precision-controlled centimeter-scale bathymetry and millimeter-scale imagery. Related ProjectsArctic Shelf EdgeCascadia Subduction ZoneDeep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community StudiesCoordinated Canyon ExperimentMorro Bay Windfarm PockmarksThe Octopus GardenSubmarine Volcanism Publications All Publications Paull, C.K., S.R. Dallimore, Y.K. Jin, D.W. Caress, E. Lundsten, R. Gwiazda, K. Anderson, J.H. Clarke, C. Youngblut, and H. Melling. 2022. Rapid seafloor changes associated with the degradation of Arctic submarine permafrost. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2119105119 Ramirez, V., L. Angel, S. Madero, R. Michael, J. Contreras Perez, D. Caress, D. Clague, and J.B. Paduan. 2021. A new method for fault-scarp detection using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) in high-resolution bathymetry data From the Alarcón Rise and Pescadero Basin, Gulf of California. EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, 23rd EGU General Assembly: EGU21–417. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021EGUGA..23..417V/abstract Negrete-Aranda, R., F. Neumann, J. Contreras, R.N. Harris, R.M. Spelz, R. Zierenberg, and D.W. Caress. 2021. Transport of heat by hydrothermal circulation in a young rift setting: Observations from the Auka and JaichMaa Ja'ag' vent field in the Pescadero Basin, southern Gulf of California. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126(8): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022300 Fildani, A., S. Kostic, J.A. Covault, K.L. Maier, D.W. Caress, and C.K. Paull. 2021. Exploring a new breadth of cyclic steps on distal submarine fans. Sedimentology, 68: 1378–1399. https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.12803 Vega-Ramirez, L.A., R.M. Spelz-Madero, R. Negrete-Aranda, F. Neumann, D.W. Caress, D.A. Clague, J.B. Paduan, J. Contreras, and J.G. Peña-Dominguez. 2021. A new method for fault-scarp detection using linear discriminant analysis in high-resolution bathymetry data from the Alarcon Rise and Pescadero Basin. Tectonics, 40(12): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021TC006925 Latest News All News News MBARI researchers join international research expedition to the Arctic Ocean News 09.14.22 News Mapping reveals rapid changes to the Arctic seafloor as ancient submerged permafrost thaws Press Release 03.14.22 News Unlocking the mysteries of the Arctic seafloor News 03.10.21 Technologies All Technologies 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 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 Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Data Report The CCE was an extensive long-term effort to monitor the passage of sediment gravity flows at multiple locations simultaneously Data FathomNet FathomNet is a publicly available database that makes use of existing (and future), expertly curated data from several sources Data Seafloor Mapping Database The Seafloor Mapping Database (SMDB) provides access to MBARI's entire mapping data archive External Data MARINE GEOSCIENCE DATA SYSTEM
Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Project 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.
Bioinspiration Lab Project 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.
Gulf of California Tectonics and Hydrothermal Systems Project Gulf of California Tectonics and Hydrothermal Systems Mapping and multidisciplinary investigations in the southern Gulf of California.
Terrain Relative Navigation Project Terrain Relative Navigation Improving vehicle navigation in real-time by localizing relative to an existing map.
Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Project Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Mapping the hydrothermal sites, lava flows, and geodetics of this active volcano.
Low Altitude Survey System Project Low Altitude Survey System Bringing mapping systems closer to the seafloor to achieve precision-controlled centimeter-scale bathymetry and millimeter-scale imagery.
Arctic Shelf Edge Project Arctic Shelf Edge Investigating rapid changes in the seafloor morphology that have been discovered to occur under the Arctic Ocean.
Cascadia Subduction Zone Project Cascadia Subduction Zone Deciphering the geologic records left by earthquake stimulated turbidity currents along the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Project Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Studies of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems at Sur Ridge and Davidson Seamount focus on oceanographic and biological factors influencing their diversity and abundance.
Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Project Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) The Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) is an extensive long-term effort to monitor turbidity currents in situ and at multiple locations simultaneously. Here you can find all the data and relevant metadata collected throughout this groundbreaking study.
Morro Bay Windfarm Pockmarks Project Morro Bay Windfarm Pockmarks Understanding the origins and activity of the pockmarks and submarine channels offshore of Morro Bay is paramount to developing a proposed floating wind farm.
The Octopus Garden Project The Octopus Garden Octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) breeding at deep-sea hydrothermal springs at the base of Davidson Seamount are a current focus of ecological research.
Gulf of California Tectonics and Hydrothermal Systems Project Gulf of California Tectonics and Hydrothermal Systems Mapping and multidisciplinary investigations in the southern Gulf of California.
Terrain Relative Navigation Project Terrain Relative Navigation Improving vehicle navigation in real-time by localizing relative to an existing map.
Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Project Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Mapping the hydrothermal sites, lava flows, and geodetics of this active volcano.
Low Altitude Survey System Project Low Altitude Survey System Bringing mapping systems closer to the seafloor to achieve precision-controlled centimeter-scale bathymetry and millimeter-scale imagery.
Paull, C.K., S.R. Dallimore, Y.K. Jin, D.W. Caress, E. Lundsten, R. Gwiazda, K. Anderson, J.H. Clarke, C. Youngblut, and H. Melling. 2022. Rapid seafloor changes associated with the degradation of Arctic submarine permafrost. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2119105119
Ramirez, V., L. Angel, S. Madero, R. Michael, J. Contreras Perez, D. Caress, D. Clague, and J.B. Paduan. 2021. A new method for fault-scarp detection using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) in high-resolution bathymetry data From the Alarcón Rise and Pescadero Basin, Gulf of California. EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, 23rd EGU General Assembly: EGU21–417. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021EGUGA..23..417V/abstract
Negrete-Aranda, R., F. Neumann, J. Contreras, R.N. Harris, R.M. Spelz, R. Zierenberg, and D.W. Caress. 2021. Transport of heat by hydrothermal circulation in a young rift setting: Observations from the Auka and JaichMaa Ja'ag' vent field in the Pescadero Basin, southern Gulf of California. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126(8): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022300
Fildani, A., S. Kostic, J.A. Covault, K.L. Maier, D.W. Caress, and C.K. Paull. 2021. Exploring a new breadth of cyclic steps on distal submarine fans. Sedimentology, 68: 1378–1399. https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.12803
Vega-Ramirez, L.A., R.M. Spelz-Madero, R. Negrete-Aranda, F. Neumann, D.W. Caress, D.A. Clague, J.B. Paduan, J. Contreras, and J.G. Peña-Dominguez. 2021. A new method for fault-scarp detection using linear discriminant analysis in high-resolution bathymetry data from the Alarcon Rise and Pescadero Basin. Tectonics, 40(12): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021TC006925
News Mapping reveals rapid changes to the Arctic seafloor as ancient submerged permafrost thaws Press Release 03.14.22
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 Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Data Report The CCE was an extensive long-term effort to monitor the passage of sediment gravity flows at multiple locations simultaneously
Data FathomNet FathomNet is a publicly available database that makes use of existing (and future), expertly curated data from several sources
Data Seafloor Mapping Database The Seafloor Mapping Database (SMDB) provides access to MBARI's entire mapping data archive