Articles tagged with Sea Floor
Researchers have discovered four new deep-sea vents in the Southern Ocean, challenging previous assumptions about their distribution and evolution. The vents, found near the South Sandwich Islands, support unique microbial communities and are part of a larger project to study ocean chemistry and life diversity.
A comprehensive database analysis found a strong positive relationship between surface production and organic matter export, driving predicted patterns of seafloor biomass. Seafloor biomass is highest around the poles and equator due to nutrient-rich upwelling waters, while central abyssal plains exhibit consistently low values.
Researchers are developing new tools to analyze vast amounts of data from ocean sensors, cameras, and sonar. The collaboration aims to integrate and enhance this data to make it more easily consumable by scientists and the public.
Researchers have found a vast microbial ecosystem in the porous basalt rock of the upper oceanic crust, producing organic matter and exporting carbon to other systems. The discovery may influence astrobiological thinking about life on Europa and expand our understanding of the oceanic carbon cycle.
Scientists are using Alvin and Sentry to explore the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico, searching for signs of impact from the 2010 oil spill. The expedition aims to map the seafloor, collect samples, and document the effects on deep-ocean communities.
This special issue explores the geological changes in the southern margin of Laurentia using Magnetotelluric Transportable Array data, discovering a Jurassic backarc basin in the Gulf of Mexico and revealing new insights into Monterey Submarine Canyon's axial channel. 3D petrography techniques also shed light on pumice clast size distr...
Researchers observe sills forming at shallow depths in sediment layers, releasing nutrient-rich fluids and significant amounts of CO2 and methane. This novel mechanism may influence ocean cycles and climate.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will collaborate with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to develop new tools for analyzing underwater imagery data sets, enhancing scientific knowledge of marine ecosystems. The project aims to address challenges in converting large datasets into actionable insights.
Research finds that tsunamis can be triggered by moderate earthquakes on strike-slip faults, posing a significant threat to coastal cities. In Haiti's case, three-quarters of tsunamis are generated by submarine landslides, unlike the previously estimated 3% globally.
A team of scientists, led by URI oceanography professor Steven D'Hondt, will embark on a nine-week expedition to the South Pacific Gyre to drill into the basaltic basement and search for evidence of life. The team aims to test whether microbial communities can be sustained by hydrogen released from radioactive water decay.
A new study estimated human activities' impact on the North East Atlantic deep seafloor, finding bottom trawling has a greater physical footprint than other major activities. The research highlights the need for better data collection and management to protect seafloor ecosystems.
The February earthquake in Concepción, Chile, followed a predictable pattern of stress accumulation, correlating highly with GPS observations. This study offers an optimistic perspective on the predictability of earthquake magnitudes and fracture patterns, reducing the likelihood of future tremors in the region.
Researchers installed two observatories in the ocean floor to run innovative experiments at the bottom of the sea. The CORKs will help scientists find answers about how ocean crust sections connect and interact with each other. The experiments will provide direct evidence of active flow pathways and rates in the ocean crust.
Researchers from the University of Washington are leading an expedition to study the seafloor and its ecosystems. The team aims to deploy sensors and moorings that will provide real-time data on ocean conditions, enabling scientists to better understand and predict natural phenomena such as hurricanes and tsunamis.
A recent expedition to the Mid-Cayman Rise identified three unique types of hydrothermal vents, expanding our knowledge of extreme environments. The discovery provides insight into the origins and evolution of life on Earth and has implications for searching for life elsewhere in the universe.
A new study by Scripps Institution of Oceanography reveals that floating glaciers produce larger icebergs than grounded cousins and behave erratically. This is the first detailed observation of a glacier transitioning from grounded to floating.
Geologists found a lower density fault zone in the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, allowing it to slip over a longer segment and reach closer to the seafloor, generating larger tsunami waves. The study's findings could help improve hazard assessment and mitigation for this region.
An international team of scientists studied two Sumatra earthquakes, finding differences in sediment composition between the rupture areas. This difference may have contributed to a larger tsunami in the 2004 event, highlighting the potential for high tsunami hazards in this region.
Researchers found diverse marine life on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, including a missing evolutionary link between backboned and invertebrate animals. The team discovered three new species with different colors and shapes, as well as sea cucumbers with unique swimming abilities.
Scientists have monitored rapid faunal changes in a deep-sea community off Ireland's coast, where sea cucumber populations surged in abundance. Climate-driven fluctuations in organic matter supply and nutrient quality may have triggered these events.
New research reveals that plate history plays a crucial role in determining volcanic activity, contrary to previous assumptions about mantle temperature. The study found that some regions experienced more volcanic activity than others despite similar geological conditions.
A new study has uncovered a mysterious area beneath the deep ocean floor, providing insights into microbial life in this extreme environment. Researchers believe that this habitat could be one of the largest biological reservoirs on Earth, holding secrets to new species and metabolism.
A new study suggests that hurricanes can propel underwater currents with enough force to dig up the seabed, potentially creating underwater mudslides and damaging pipes or other equipment. Researchers warn that major oil leaks from damaged pipelines could have irreversible impacts on the ocean environment.
Seamounts, previously thought to be rare, are found to be the most common ocean habitats, hosting a vast array of marine biodiversity. Researchers estimated that over 45,000 seamounts exist worldwide, covering an area larger than South America.
Underwater asphalt volcanoes, 10 miles off Santa Barbara coast, discovered by scientists funded by NSF, are 700 feet deep and 1 km apart. The structures were formed 30,000-40,000 years ago from petroleum flow, and were a prolific source of methane.
New data collected from the IODP Shatsky Rise expedition provides insights into the formation of supervolcanoes and their impact on Earth's geologic record. The study sheds light on the relationship between supervolcano formation and tectonic plate boundaries.
Researchers found that larvae of a new species, Ctenopelta porifera, traveled over 300 kilometers from a nearby population to settle in the affected area. The discovery challenges the widely accepted assumption that life re-populates an area through local adult populations.
Scientists uncover clues to unlocking the origin and triggering mechanism of massive underwater volcanic eruptions, shedding light on Earth's geologic record. The study of Shatsky Rise, a 145 million-year-old supervolcano, provides insights into the processes of volcanism and plate tectonics.
A British scientific expedition is heading to the Cayman Trough, a rift in the seafloor of the Caribbean that reaches over three miles deep. The team will use robot submarines and remotely-controlled vehicles to study deep-sea vents, which support lush colonies of deep-sea creatures.
Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) support a variety of habitats and species, including brittle stars, spider crabs, and tube-living organisms. Global warming may exacerbate oxygen depletion and reduce biodiversity in these regions.
Scientists are conducting an expedition to study the rupture site of the 8.8-magnitude Chilean earthquake, mapping changes in the seafloor and searching for evidence of tsunami formation. The research will provide valuable insights into similar earthquake regions worldwide and inform tsunami warning systems.
Researchers found that sea urchins prey on crinoids, a type of marine animal known as sea lilies, and suggested that these interactions drove the development of motility in sea lilies. The study, published in PNAS, provides evidence for an evolutionary arms race between predators and prey dating back over 200 million years.
A research team led by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is leaking large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, comparable to the entire world's oceans. The release of methane from this region could trigger abrupt climate warming due to its potency as a greenhouse gas.
Researchers at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory found evidence of hydrothermal vents near Antarctica, a discovery that could spur exploration of the distant mid-ocean ridge. The sites identified cover 340 miles of ridge line, offering a new area to study complex organisms and ocean chemistry.
A device created by UIC geoscientists simulates extreme sea floor conditions in a lab chamber, allowing scientists to examine samples under harsh conditions using X-ray diffraction. The device can simulate deep-sea pressure and temperatures, enabling the study of mineral formation, clay mineralogy, and hydrothermal systems.
Researchers used high-resolution seismic data to analyze fault evolution across the Gulf of Corinth rift, revealing patterns of basin subsidence and fault activity. The study provides new insights into early rift history and the development of faults associated with the rift, shedding light on seafloor spreading mechanisms.
Oceanographers using WHOI-operated ROV Jason discovered the first video and still images of a deep-sea volcano actively erupting molten lava on the seafloor, nearly 4,000 feet below the surface. The high-definition camera system captured the powerful event in detail, providing scientists with a unique up-close view of the eruption.
A new study by an international team has used seafloor seismometers to image the Hawaiian mantle, revealing a high-temperature plume from the lower mantle. The findings suggest that the Hawaiian hot spot is the result of this upwelling plume, which tilts southeastward as it extends downward.
Oceanic core complexes are large elevated massifs formed along slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges. Research by Dr. Bram Murton and colleagues found that these complexes form during periods of reduced magma supply from volcanism, leading to suppressed or absent volcanism.
Climate change impacts deep-sea ecosystems by altering food supply and community dynamics. Changes in ocean processes, such as wind-driven upwelling and nutrient delivery, can lead to dramatic year-to-year variations in organic material reaching the seafloor, affecting fish populations like grenadiers.
Expedition 322 collected sedimentary and basement rock samples from the Shikoku Basin, shedding light on the generation of large earthquakes. The study of petrological, geotechnical, frictional, and hydrogeological properties of these rocks is crucial for understanding rupture dynamics in the seismogenic zone.
The new ocean drilling program will explore the 'deep biosphere', investigating life beyond 1,600 meters below the seafloor and the impact of CO2 on climate. Scientists hope to gain insights into Earth's past, present, and future by analyzing core samples and developing new technologies.
The Benthic Rover, a robotic explorer, is revolutionizing our understanding of life on the deep seafloor. By measuring oxygen consumption and studying sediment communities, scientists can better comprehend how organisms find food in low-nutrient environments.
Scientists believe methane trapped under ocean may be escaping faster than previously thought through sea floor vents. The release could have significant implications for understanding the Earth's carbon cycle and global warming.
The University of California, San Diego will receive $32 million to develop the Ocean Observatories Initiative's cyberinfrastructure. The system will enable near-real-time access to ocean data, transforming ocean science research and education.
Scientists have uncovered new evidence on the origin and evolution of seismogenic faults in the Nankai Trough, a region prone to massive earthquakes. The research, conducted during the NanTroSEIZE expedition, reveals that fault activity varies through time, with periods of high and low activity recorded.
A study found that Arctic ocean warming triggers methane release from seabed sediments, contributing to climate change. The National Oceanography Centre and researchers detected over 250 plumes of bubbles rising from the West Spitsbergen continental margin.
The project aims to create the most detailed maps of Oregon's seafloor along its coast, measuring water depth, identifying navigational hazards, and recording natural features. The data collected will help researchers and coastal managers protect coastal communities and marine habitats.
The NOAA-led Hydropalooza project is mapping the seafloor and coastline of Kachemak Bay, providing detailed data for safe navigation and ecosystem management. The data will be used to support local planning, maritime commerce, and recreational boating in the area.
The CHIKYU vessel conducted the first riser-drilling operation in the Nankai Trough earthquake zone, reaching a depth of 1,603.7 meters beneath the seafloor. The operation provided valuable information on geological formations and stress-strain characteristics.
Researchers successfully conducted riser-drilling operations in the Nankai Trough earthquake zone to gather information on geological formations and stress-strain characteristics. This technology enabled dynamic formation testing and measurement of stress, water pressure, and rock permeability.
A new study suggests that future tsunamis could reach a scale far beyond the 1964 Alaskan earthquake, killing up to 35 people directly and causing extensive damage. The research indicates that rupture of an even larger area than previously thought could create an even bigger tsunami.
The Deepsea Drilling Vessel CHIKYU has begun riser-drilling operations in the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone, targeting a depth of 1,600 meters. This marks a significant milestone in ocean drilling, as CHIKYU becomes the first vessel capable of drilling deep beneath the ocean floor and in seismogenic zones.
A team of scientists found surprisingly few organisms beneath the seafloor of the South Pacific Gyre, with cell counts three to four orders of magnitude lower than at similar depths outside gyres. The sediment's oxygen levels were also unexpectedly high, supporting an aerobic community.
The Nereus hybrid remotely operated vehicle successfully reached the deepest part of the ocean, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. The dive demonstrates the vehicle's capabilities for exploring the world's last frontiers and gathering images, data, and samples from extreme depths.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of California, Santa Barbara, has quantified oil residue in seafloor sediments from natural petroleum seeps off Santa Barbara. The oil content decreases with distance from the seeps, creating an 'oil fallout shadow'.
Researchers found that oil spills from petroleum seeps in the Santa Barbara Channel are mostly deposited on the ocean floor, with most of it being biodegraded. The study provides insights into the life cycle of oil spills and their impact on the environment.
Studies investigate the relationship between mantle cooling, crustal thickness, and sea-level rise. Researchers also explore the impact of tectonic stretching on fault formation and the behavior of Earth's plates.
Researchers confirm that major methane increases near the end of the last Ice Age were due to wetland growth and associated methane releases, not sudden bursts of seafloor methane. The study's findings provide a significant relief as they largely rule out massive seafloor hydrate deposits as a source of methane.
Scientists discovered dynamic microbial communities in deep-sea mud volcanoes and brine pools with harsh conditions, supporting life processes on early Earth, Mars, and moons like Jupiter's Europa. These findings provide new insights into microbial adaptation and the potential for life beyond Earth.