Articles tagged with Sea Floor
Researchers have created a new method to observe subsurface structures using ambient ocean waves, offering real-time monitoring of offshore oil and gas fields with less disruption to marine life. This technique reduces costs and environmental concerns associated with traditional seismic surveys.
Scientists have found significant methane releases at depths of 20-50 meters off the West Yamal Peninsula in Siberia. The findings suggest a smaller, more fragile seal than previously thought, and a continuous thawing process driven by geothermal heat flux.
Scientists from USGS and Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History discover new genus and species of bivalve mollusk, Wallerconcha, in deep-water sediment cores from the Beaufort Sea. The discovery is named after Dr. Thomas R. Waller and Sara Powell, co-authors of the study.
Researchers have created the first empty clathrate of a new form of ice, known as Ice XVI, which has significant implications for understanding its physical chemistry. The discovery may lead to improved methods for transporting and storing energy, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Research from the University of Washington suggests that warmer ocean water is melting frozen methane deposits on the seafloor, releasing massive amounts of methane into the environment. The study estimates that up to 4 million metric tons of methane are released annually off the coast of Washington.
A National Science Foundation-funded research team has successfully tested an autonomous underwater vehicle, AUV, that can produce high-resolution three-dimensional maps of Antarctic sea ice. The results provide a powerful tool to study changes in sea-ice extent.
Researchers at UCSB and WHOI have identified a 1,250-square-mile patch of the deep sea floor where 2-16 percent of the discharged oil was deposited. The oil fell in thin deposits most intensive to the southwest of the Macondo well.
Researchers have discovered the path the remaining 2 million barrels of oil from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster followed to its resting place on the Gulf of Mexico sea floor. The study found that the oil is concentrated in a thin layer at the sea floor, with deposits most extensive to the southwest of the Macondo Well.
A new study shows that jellyfish falls are rapidly consumed by deep-sea scavengers, revealing the importance of gelatinous material to food webs. The research challenges previous negative assessments and suggests that jellyfish blooms may provide essential nutrients to deep-sea ecosystems.
Iceberg scour marks on sea floor indicate meltwater and iceberg movement as far south as Miami and southern Florida. Researchers used high-resolution numerical models to simulate glacial meltwater floods, showing that massive icebergs could have drifted along the east coast of the United States.
Invasive Antarctic crabs could degrade marine ecosystems by preying on local species, experts warn. Long-term monitoring programs are needed to assess the extent of the problem.
Scientists have created a new map of the world's seafloor, offering a more vivid picture of deep ocean structures. The map reveals thousands of previously uncharted seamounts, along with new clues about continental formation and earthquake patterns.
A new map of the world's seafloor has been created using satellite data, revealing thousands of previously uncharted sea mountains and providing new clues about deep ocean structures. The map, which is twice as accurate as the previous version, also reveals details of continental connections across South America and Africa.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Nevada have found that cooling of the Pacific plate causes horizontal contraction and deformation. The rate of contraction is faster in younger parts of the plate, leading to a predicted 10 times faster contraction than older parts.
Researchers found five lineaments at a depth of 1,200 meters on the Hovgaard Ridge, providing insights into the Arctic's glacial past and freshwater export to the North Atlantic. The discovery supports a hypothesis that large icebergs carried frozen fresh water into the Atlantic, influencing global circulation patterns.
A 16-year study reveals that the Azore islands are becoming a crucial part of the Atlantic whale shark's habitat due to rising ocean temperatures. The researchers found that increased sightings were correlated with higher water temperatures and seafloor features, such as slopes and seamounts.
Scientists have created a detailed picture of Mount Rainier's deep volcanic plumbing, revealing a partly molten rock reservoir approximately 30 percent molten. The study used both seismic imaging and magnetotelluric measurements to capture the melting process that feeds magma into the crustal reservoir.
Researchers report a significant decline in Antarctic species due to increased iceberg activity, leaving only a single dominant species, Fenstrulina rugula. The study finds that climate change has reduced spatial competition and complexity in shallow waters, allowing nonindigenous species to colonize.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and China studied trackways formed on an ancient seabed to determine how nothosaurs, marine reptiles that lived during the age of dinosaurs, propelled themselves through water. The evidence suggests that these creatures moved over the seafloor by rowing their forelimbs in unison.
A sunken shipping container off the California coast is home to unique and diverse deep-sea animal communities. Researchers discovered differences in animal populations compared to surrounding areas, including increased abundance of certain species like Neptunea snails and rockfish.
A major European seafloor survey has found widespread marine litter, including plastic and fishing debris, in the deepest ocean depths. The study reveals that human litter is present in all marine habitats, from beaches to remote parts of the oceans.
A large-scale seafloor survey found widespread presence of bottles, plastic bags, fishing nets, and other types of human litter across European seas. Litter was found at all depths, from shallow waters to 4500-meter waters, with the highest density in submarine canyons.
Scientists at GEOMAR used a complex 3D computer model to simulate the paths of seawater toward hydrothermal vents, finding that water seeps in near vents or travels long distances underground before venting. This study provides new insights into ocean floor processes and resource potential.
Four new species of carnivorous sponges have been discovered in the deep sea, using intricate microscopic hooks to trap crustaceans and other small organisms. These 'killer sponges' thrive in the dark depths of the ocean, where energy is scarce, and rely on clever trapping mechanisms to survive.
Research reveals that wood-boring clams serve as 'ecosystem engineers,' making organic matter available to other colonizing animals. Larger logs support more diverse communities, while smaller ones have fewer inhabitants.
Researchers found an abundance of methanethiol in low-temperature fluids with markers of microbial organic matter, suggesting breakdown of existing subseafloor life produces methanethiol. This contradicts the 'metabolism first' hypothesis and provides evidence that life is widespread below the seafloor.
Researchers from Aarhus University and Lund University found that nutrients from land are the main cause of widespread oxygen depletion in the Baltic Sea. The areas affected have increased drastically over the past century, harming marine life and ecosystem balance.
Researchers from University of Southern Denmark and University of Copenhagen explain the mysterious ocean circles off the Baltic coast, revealing a toxic substance that inhibits eelgrass growth. The circular formations are formed when eelgrass plants trap mud containing sulfide, which weakens older plants in the center.
Studies examine the role of hydrated fault zones in carrying large amounts of water from Earth's oceans to the mantle. Researchers also investigate vertical structural heterogeneities within cratonic lithosphere, shedding light on continent destruction and evolution.
Scientists from GEOMAR found that methane hydrate outgassing off Svalbard is likely caused by natural processes, rather than global warming. The team discovered that seasonal temperature fluctuations can push the stability zone of gas hydrates, leading to outgassing.
A new study predicts significant declines in deep-sea marine life due to climate change, with up to 38% loss in the North Atlantic and over 5% globally by 2100. This will impact ecosystem services such as fishing and food supply, driving changes in seafloor communities.
Researchers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute used underwater robots to survey a marked dump site off the coast of Southern California. The survey revealed numerous 55-gallon drums and other marine debris, but no chemical munitions were detected.
A team of international scientists has published studies revealing a submarine earthquake caused the devastating 2011 tsunami in Japan's Tohoku region. The findings suggest that other zones in the northwest Pacific may be at risk of similar huge earthquakes due to unusually thin and slippery geological faults.
An international team of scientists has measured the 'frictional heat' generated during the rupture of Japan's 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in 2011. The study found that the fault is more slippery than previously thought, with a friction coefficient of 0.08.
A University of Houston-led international expedition drilled into the lower crust of the Pacific Ocean, revealing new discoveries about the Earth's development. The team found substantial amounts of the mineral orthopyroxene in gabbros, challenging existing theories on the formation of the lower ocean crust.
Researchers discovered a surprising abundance of species in Antarctic fjord seafloors, including bristle worms, anemones, and sea spiders. Climate warming is expected to impact these ecosystems as glacial melting accelerates and sediments enter the fjords.
Researchers investigate plate tephra formation, deep-seated slope failures, and wax lake delta geology. Volcanic processes are linked to magma composition and eruption styles.
Researchers found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is releasing at least 17 teragrams of methane into the atmosphere each year, doubling previous estimates. The rapid release of methane from the seafloor threatens to exacerbate global warming and create a positive feedback loop.
Researchers found that large pulses of organic material sink to the deep seafloor, providing enough food for years at a time. The study used multiple instruments to track marine snow and its impact on life in the deep.
Researchers have uncovered a unique way that microorganisms on the ocean floor consume methane, utilizing a rare metal called tungsten. The discovery provides insights into how these extreme environments might change in a warming world.
Researchers confirm that humpback whales in the southern Gulf of Maine are spending most of their time on the ocean floor, contrary to previous thought. The study revealed three distinct types of bottom-feeding behaviors, including simple side-rolls and seafloor scooping.
Biologists have developed a new technique to determine if seagrasses contain sulfur, indicating stressed seabeds. This method reveals the health state of plants, aiding restoration efforts for lost or diminished seagrass meadows.
New research on tagged humpback whales reveals three distinct bottom feeding techniques: simple side-rolls, side-roll inversions, and repetitive scooping. These behaviors are common in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and can lead to vulnerability to entanglement in fishing gear.
A community of microscopic algae and bacteria thrives within Arctic and Antarctic pack ice, secreting large quantities of gels that affect the physical structure within the ice and how carbon travels to the ocean floor. The gels also influence weather patterns by acting as cloud condensing nuclei.
The USGS has released new seafloor maps, data layers, and videos for the entire California coast, providing a comprehensive base-map series. This collaboration between state and federal agencies, academia, and private industry aims to inform coastal managers and researchers about seafloor habitats, geology, and ecosystems.
A new study reveals that giant bacteria like Thioploca are invaded by anammox bacteria, which steal their nitrogen, leading to reduced algal growth and less food for marine organisms. This discovery may impact ocean productivity and have implications for fish life and fisheries.
A recent study predicts that biodiversity on polar seabeds could be reduced by up to one third within decades as the poles warm, leading to widespread ecosystem shifts. The research reveals that even slight changes in sea-ice timing can cause a tipping point, resulting in unique communities being replaced by algal beds.
In the western Weddell Sea, Antarctic glass sponges have increased in density threefold between 2007 and 2011, colonizing new habitats and outcompeting other species for food. These rapid growths suggest that communities at the sea bed react more quickly to climate-related changes than previously thought.
Researchers discovered a fast-growing community of glass sponges in the Antarctic, contradicting their long lifespan estimates. The seafloor takeover is driven by climate change-induced ice shelf collapse, potentially benefiting glass sponges as winners in the process.
A team of researchers found geologic evidence that challenges the conventional explanation for Antarctica's initial glaciation. Volcanic rocks in the Scotia Sea suggest an ancient volcanic arc may have blocked ocean currents, leading to a colder climate.
A Stanford University study reveals that sound waves from earthquakes can reach land tens of minutes before a massive tsunami, potentially providing an early warning. The research identifies a specific acoustic signature that could indicate the presence of a tsunami-generating earthquake, allowing for faster-acting warning systems.
A recent study by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has mapped out areas of deep-sea debris in the ocean, revealing a significant accumulation of trash in Monterey Canyon. The researchers found that plastic bags and metal objects were the most common types of debris, with many pieces smothering or choking marine life.
A study published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America uses seafloor seismic data to analyze fin whale calls, revealing new information on their movement patterns and communication habits. The research also sheds light on the animals' feeding behaviors and potential collisions with ships.
A detailed analysis of the archaeological remains of Dunwich, dubbed 'Britain's Atlantis', has produced an accurate map of the town's streets and buildings. The study used advanced underwater imaging techniques to examine the ruins on the seabed, shedding new light on the town's layout and structures.
Scientists successfully retrieved temperature measurements of the fault that caused the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The recovered sensors provide critical data on frictional heat generated by fault slip during the earthquake.
An international team of scientists has created the first digital map of the entire Antarctic seafloor, revealing detailed topography with resolutions as low as 500x500 metres. This new bathymetric chart will help researchers predict sea currents, model geological processes, and understand marine life.
A study by Karen Lloyd reveals that archaea slowly eat tiny bits of protein, implications for understanding bare minimum conditions to support life. The finding provides clues about the absolute minimum conditions required to sustain life and the global carbon cycle.
Scientists have retrieved four seabed archaeal cells and mapped their genome, revealing they live on protein degradation. This breakthrough opens up new knowledge for microbiologists, allowing them to study individual microorganisms directly from nature.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have captured a unique image of a site deep in the earth where magma is generated. The cross-section area of the melting region rivals the size of San Diego County, providing insights into the fundamental processes of plate tectonics.
Researchers analyzed footage from James Cameron's DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition, revealing a vibrant mix of organisms in each trench site. The study highlights the diversity of creatures living in extreme ocean depths, including giant amoebas, sea cucumbers, and shrimp-like crustaceans.