INFOMAR - Ireland's Nearshore Seabed Mapping Project

Kilmore Quay, Wexford & Rosslare Surveys

2011-11-11T11:48:00.019Z

After completing the first survey leg of the 2011 season in Waterford Harbour, the Geological Survey of Ireland's (GSI) 7m RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), RV Geo, was taken out of the water in late June and transported by land to Wexford for the second leg - surveys of Wexford Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare. The latter was predominantly carried out by the GSI's 15m aluminium catamaran, the RV Keary, while the first two areas were mapped solely by the Geo due to their very shallow nature.

Wexford proved to be a highly challenging area to survey, with numerous shallow sand banks forcing the Geo to operate in waters as shoal as 2m. With its fragile transducer hanging 0.6m below the waterline, this required great skill on the part of the skipper to safely manoeuvre the vessel through the shallows. To further complicate matters, the sand banks of Wexford harbour are highly mobile, and so their distribution no longer matched the existing nautical charts - hence the great need for an updated survey of the area.
Along with a requirement for very careful navigation, the survey crew also had to keep a careful watch on the tidal conditions. Due to its shallow nature, safe navigation between the shoals of Wexford harbour is extremely restricted by the tide - in many areas the Geo could only operate at high tide, with some of those areas drying out at lower water levels.

RV Geo on survey operations

RV Keary navigating off the coast

Another feature to note in Wexford harbour was the presence of a large seal colony. Great care was taken not to disturb the creatures during survey operations and so the Geo's surveyor also doubled-up as a marine mammal observer (MMO). In addition to reporting on the survey, the surveyor created an MMO report detailing sightings of the seals - a useful dataset in itself for marine biologists.

Survey area mapped by the RV Geo through Waterford Harbour. The blue end of the colour scale represents deeper water, with the shallow seabed represented as green, through yellow to red.

A large number of seals were observed on the edge of the sandbank in Wexford harbour

In addition to mapping the seabed with sonar, the crew of the RV Geo also collected many sound velocity profile (SVP) data.
The SVP data is necessary because the sonar systems measure the travel time of sound waves through the water. As water temperature and salinity differ from within and between survey areas, so too does the speed of sound. Therefore these effects must be corrected for in order to accurately map the seabed. The SVP data was acquired by lowering a probe down into the water column, measuring the temperature and salinity of the water and therefore providing the survey team with a record of the sound velocity in a given location. By conducting regular sound velocity casts in Wexford harbour, the team ensured that the final dataset would require minimal processing to correct for errors created by the changes in the water column. The advantage of acquiring this data is that the information gathered during the survey constitutes a unique dataset which can have additional use in the study of the local oceanography of the area.

Following the survey of Wexford Harbour, the RV Geo was transited by sea to Rosslare harbour. The RV Keary had commenced survey operations in Rosslare at this point, and both vessels conducted survey operations in the area. The RV Keary conducted the bulk of the survey work, with the Geo briefly carrying out bathymetric mapping.

Survey coverage in Rosslare harbour

Following survey operations in Rosslare, the RV Geo was taken out of the water and transported by land to Kilmore Quay, while the RV Keary remained in Rosslare to continue operations. A similar survey strategy was employed at Kilmore Quay, involving further mapping of the seabed using sonar and SVP data acquisition. A feature of interest off the coast there is St. Patrick's bridge, a ridge of raised seabed that juts southwards. Along with shallow areas near the harbour, this feature could only be crossed by RV Geo at high tide, and so like Wexford this survey also included tidally-restricted areas.

Seabed mapped by RV Geo at Kilmore Quay. Note St. Patrick's bridge as a spit of shallow (green-yellow) seabed near the bottom of the image

INIS-Hydro Project

2011-11-03T10:29:00.024Z

INIS-hydro is a 3 year INTERREG IVA Programme with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the UK as lead partners. The project brings together 7 partners to conduct hydrographic surveys in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The partners are the MCA, Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), Marine Institute (MI), the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), the Scotish Association of Marine Science (SAMS), the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).

The surveys will be undertaken in Dundalk Bay, Carlingford Lough, Dundrum Bay, the Firth of Lorn and South West of Islay by several different vessels drawing on expertise from the various partners. The bathymetric data will deliver 3D baseline maps using multibeam echosounder technology which will be freely distributed. The project also plans to harmonise hydrographic survey specifications and synchronisation for future surveys.

Areas of seabed to be mapped during the INISHydro project

These surveys comply with the partners obligations under the Safety of Life at Sea conventions and will be augmented with auxiliary scientific data collected in conjunction with the bathymetric data. Details of the project can be found on the website at http://www.inis-hydro.eu/

The project is essential as the current nautical charts for these areas were produced largely in the 19th century and whilst they were an enormous achievement for the surveyors of their day, these charts are not as reliable as their terrestrial counterparts and warrant updating. The territories to be mapped in the INISHydro project encompass important navigation channels, areas of environmental interest and potential sites for marine renewable energy - it also involves a very significant level of cooperation, bringing together so many partner organisations.

INISHydro partner organisations

In September 2011, three vessels were mobilised to Dundalk Bay to begin mapping the Irish territory – the RVs Keary and Geo were supplied by the GSI and RV Celtic Voyager was provided by the MI.

RV Celtic Voyager

RV Keary

RV Geo

The Voyager carried out bathymetric mapping up to the 10m depth contour, while the Keary and the Geo were assigned to shallow-water mapping up to the 5m and 0m contours, respectively.

While the Voyager operated out of Howth, Co. Dublin, on a 24-hour basis the Keary and the Geo were based locally, carrying out surveys in daylight hours and mooring at Port Oriel overnight.
This was also the location of a tide gauge for the duration of the survey, along with a GPS base station which was deployed at a private residence nearby. The tide gauge provided a record of the tidal changes in the area throughout the survey, which is necessary as the bathymetric data must be corrected for the resulting rise and fall of the survey vessels during their operations. The GPS base station was then used to accurately measure a reference point in the ground, in order to level the final dataset to chart datum.

Total survey coverage for Dundalk Bay during the 2011 survey.

In addition to bathymetric data, the Keary and the Voyager recorded a sub-bottom profile along each survey line using shallow seismics. East of Dundalk, an interesting channel-like feature was observed in the data, which requires further geological analysis.

Sub-bottom profile showing channel-like feature east of Dundalk Bay

Channel-like feature visible in the Keary's bathymetric data as dark blue strip

Maritime Archaeology aboard RV Keary

2011-10-28T12:28:00.019+01:00

Since INFOMAR began in 2006, the survey team have regularly supplied data to the Underwater Archaeology Unit (UAU, part of the Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht) on a variety of shipwrecks that have been surveyed around the Irish coast. The process involves the sharing of detailed sonar data (multibeam and sidescan), which the UAU analyse in order to help ascertain whether a given wreck is known or unknown, whether or not it needs to be protected, and to improve the accuracy of the national shipwrecks database. INFOMAR and the UAU also publish wreck information sheets together, which are available to download at www.infomar.ie – these provide information on the locations of particular wrecks, their water depths, history and any diving information if available.

At the start of August 2011, this partnership was developed further when RV Keary and RV Geo gave support to the UAU in an archaeological excavation of a potential Spanish Armada wreck near Burtonport, Co. Donegal.

The Rutland Island Wreck, named after a nearby island, had been discovered two years previously by local divers, and had already been investigated by the UAU. However, it had not yet been properly excavated, and so the Keary was provided by the Geological Survey of Ireland as a dive platform to facilitate the team of maritime archaeologists in this endeavour.

RV Keary and UAU vessel moored together above the wreck site

Marine archaeologist wearing commercial diving gear, emerging at the stern of RV Keary

The vessel served very well as a base of operations for the team, providing ample space for their specialised diving equipment – tanks and compressors that provided surface-supplied air, and a communications setup that allowed dialogue between the surface team and the divers below. The vessel’s hydraulic A-frame also played a role in recovering some of the UAU’s equipment from the seabed at the end of the project, and several areas were provided on deck for the analysis of recovered artefacts. One of the Keary's instruments, called a USBL (Ultra-Short Base Line), was also used to great effect in pin-pointing locations on the seabed that were of interest to the archaeologists. This is an acoustic transducer, located on a hydraulic drop-pod between the catamaran's hulls, that can communicate with a set of beacons. The divers assembled a metal grid over the wreck in order to assist with mapping of its various timbers and artefacts, and by placing these beacons on its four corners, the Keary's USBL could be used to give accurate coordinates for the grid's location - and therefore accurate positioning for all discovered artefacts. One beacon was also carried by a diver carrying out metal-detection on the seabed around the wreck, which meant the Keary's survey crew could provide him with coordinates for all objects that were discovered this way.

USBL display showing RV Keary at centre and recorded positions of beacons

The Keary also accommodated a variety of film and radio crews, who documented the excavation for privately-funded documentaries and public service broadcasting. All in all, the vessel played host to a huge variety of scientists, archaeologists and journalists over the three week period.

The INFOMAR, UAU and local dive teams aboard RV Keary

In order to establish a semi-permanent base at the site, the Keary was placed over the wreck and anchored at three points to hold her in position, with the Geo remaining mobile in order to ferry survey crew and archaeologists to and from the base of operations, along with carrying out her own bathymetric survey operations (mapping of water depths).

RV Geo carrying out bathymetric survey

The UAU provided their own RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), which tied up next to the Keary each day and excavated the wreck through use of a suction-dredger. The material removed from the site was fed to a sieve aboard the RIB, where a team of archaeologists sifted through the sand and mud to recover any small objects of interest that were removed by the dredger. All recovered objects were then moved to the Keary for analysis and storage.

Archaeologist on surface-supplied air, operating suction dredger (Photo courtesy of the Underwater Archaeology Unit)

Archaeologists aboard the UAU RIB, sieving through material suction-dredged from the wreck below.

Stern of the Rutlant Island Wreck. The metal grid was assembled on the seafloor by divers to assist with mapping of the wreck's timbers and artefacts (Photo courtesy of the Underwater Archaeology Unit)

Diver recording rope and barrel hoops exposed during the excavation

Artefacts recovered from the wreck, clockwise from top: bowl, shot, stone object and walnut shell (Photo courtesy of the Underwater Archaeology Unit)

Independently, RV Geo carried out sidescan sonar surveys of the wreck, along with expanding INFOMAR coverage of the surrounding area’s bathymetry (water depths) – the areas mapped by the Geo included several approach channels that are vital for navigation to and from the island of Arranmore, along with a sector near Lahan Island that had only been partially mapped during the days of the British Admiralty surveys.

The Geo's presence in the area allowed the team to progress INFOMAR seabed mapping while the Keary dedicated itself to the archaeological work, demonstrating once again the flexibility and efficiency that are gained by having both vessels operating together on site. The Geo's interferometer mapping system, which works like a Sidescan sonar, produced valuable imagery of the Rutland Island wreck that will be useful for further archaeological studies.

Sidescan Sonar image of the Rutland Island Wreck. The stern of the vessel is to the right (East). Note the pale shadow cast southwards by the metal grid (colours on Sidescan imagery are inverted here, with pale colours representing sonar shadow)

Total bathymetry mapped by RV Geo during the excavation

Area mapped by Geo near Lahan Island - this area was not completely mapped during the original surveys by the British Admiralty

Bathymetry mapped by RV Geo east and south of Rutland Island, including the wreck site

Shipping channel between Arranmore and Burtonport mapped by RV Geo

INFOMAR mapping of the Shannon estuary

2011-09-29T10:22:00.021+01:00

INFOMAR mapping of the river Shannon commenced onboard the Marine Institute’s research vessel Celtic Voyager on July 19th. Over the course of the two-week survey leg, the estuary mouth was mapped up to the 10m contour, with physical sampling taking place at key locations in order to determine the seabed type (e.g. rock, sand, shell hash etc). The new seabed coverage was merged with existing datasets offshore and upriver. In addition to the geological mapping, a detailed survey was carried out over the wreck of the S.S. Premier – a British cargo steamer that was lost in 1898. This 54m long wreck lies upriver from the survey area, in a general water depth of 21m.

An overview of the survey area at the mouth of the Shannon estuary showing the newly acquired bathymetric data. The solid-colour areas indicate the extent of previous survey work.

The survey area is particularly important for a number of reasons – not only does the area incorporate a busy shipping channel, it is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for resident bottlenose dolphins, and from a geological perspective it overlies an important subterranean structure called the Iapetus Suture Zone – a large seam running through Ireland’s ancient bedrock that marks the closing of an ocean pre-dating the Atlantic by many millions of years.

The survey comprised bathymetric mapping of the seafloor from Kerry Head to Loop Head, with the inner extent lying along the 10m contour. As the area is an SAC for resident dolphins, the acoustic surveying took place during daylight hours only, with seabed sampling operations taking place at night. The sampling was carried out with a mechanical instrument called a “Shipek Grab” – this is a spring-loaded device that, upon being lowered to the seafloor, snaps closed and scoops up a bucket of material. Along with a variety of sediment types, the grab also returned a host of interesting biological specimens – squat lobsters, brittle stars, shrimp, crabs and solitary corals – all of which were logged before being returned safely to the sea.

In addition to the seabed mapping and sampling work, two survey lines were run at night outside the SAC, using a towed “Sparker” system to record a sub-bottom profile of the seabed sediments and bedrock. This device uses an electrical arc to create an acoustic pulse that penetrates the seabed. Where the bedrock is buried beneath soft sediments, this pulse can return a detailed image of the sediment layers and provide information on their thickness.
A variety of interesting seabed features were mapped in detail, and are detailed in the following images. Note that the colour scale represents depth, from deeper (blue) to shallower (red):

Outcrop of folded bedrock off Inishaboy Point, Co Kerry.

Shaded relief bathymetry indicates a channel feature visible in rocky seabed lying north of Kerry Head.
Distinctive layers of limestone off Horse Island, Co Clare.
Folded and faulted bedrock off Loop Head. A 3D multibeam image of the S.S. Premier wreck showing the hull of the vessel lying in a general water depth of 21m.

Multibeam echosounder image of the S.S. Premier in plan view.

INFOMAR marine geologist describes unique discoveries after returning from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

2011-08-04T10:42:00.026+01:00

Marine geologist Maria Judge based at the Geological Survey of Ireland, reviews data onboard.

The VENTuRE Cruise: Researching and Recovering information from the deep.
As we traversed closer to our destination, the vast grey sea turned a deep sky blue, reflecting mellow sun on a calm day. Onboard the scientists and crew, glistening with excitement, have remained calm and focused on the task at hand: that delicate task of locating hydrothermal vents up to 3000m below this vast ocean expanse.

(Top) The ships crew recover the CTD rosette to the deck. (Below) CTD data received in real-time indicates target locations for the ROV dives.

With the weather on our side, we began the science of locating a sulphide 'plume', as plumes of 'smokey' water are consistently expelled from hydrothermal Vents. For this we use a CTD rosette, guided through the water column at a quarter of a knot in a yoyo motion, during a procedure called Tow-Yo CTDing. Heads were scratched as directions and methodologies were teased out. Finally, as one small pink line deviated across a graph followed closely by the blue line, any tension and risk of not uncovering a signal was quenched! The pink line represents the Eh signal, the blue, temperature. A negative deviation in Eh is indicative of intercepting a layer of seawater containing traces of hydrothermal vent fluid. Our graph is essentially the measure of redox potential, found where fluid rich in hydrogen sulphide mixes with seawater. We look for large anomalies that indicate a strong signal, the strength of the signals represent our proximity to a vent site. When a deflection in Eh is coincident with a temperature increase we can be sure we have located a 'hot spot' close to the vent site. Considering pressure at 3000m, the fluid emitted directly from the vents are roughly ~350°C, this instantly diffusing to ~5°C a few meters from the vent as it mixes with cold sea water, beyond this the background temperature decreases to ~3°C.

After forty hours of CTD sampling, hunting Eh and concurrent temperature signals it appeared as though we had a possible plume signal boxed in. The ROV was deployed in reconnaissance mode, for this we chose a traverse to image. Rigged with a full suite of cameras recording continuously, the ROV has an aft facing camera, a downward facing camera, a forward facing camera and a High Definition camera also facing forward. Most scientists on board are accustomed to vent exploration and as such have enormous regard for the exceptionally unique and incredibly beautiful environment, so once the ROV was close to the bottom, grand excitement had engulfed the scientists on watch. Data management and logging tasks became increasingly difficult under the whirlwind of nervous suspense.
Feeling sick with anticipation, the day watch team had their gaze fixed on a monitor positioned in the now silent science lab. Hanging on to the edge of our chairs, we first spotted the trace of smoke in the water, as powerful lights and lasers on the ROV caught glittering sulphide particles and black soot in the water column. After some foggy navigation through smoky water, elegant columnar chimneys emerged into view. News travelled throughout the ship like electricity; soon the science lab was giddy with animated chatter.

Pilots steer the ROV along the vent target as scientists observe the real-time video in the ROV control cabin.

With the diligent and ever so patient ROV crew carefully navigating through the challenging terrain of the vent field, and a full compliment of scientist fully concentrating on the TV monitors, it was not long before we had a good handle on the main attributes of the vent field. Bellowing black smoke, these rust colored chimney structures have the capability of supporting a community of florescence microbial mats, shell fish, fish, crabs, shrimp and tube worms. Such fauna live solely on the sulphide-rich fluids emitted from the hydrothermal vents. These are one of very few environments in the world that do not rely on any photosynthesis to generate or sustain its community. Hence the significance to the biologists on board, who are keen to compare life around the vent to that already described at other sites.
The vents are also geologically significant for their precipitation of massive amounts of metals in the form of metal sulphide. Ancient ore deposits formed from past hydrothermal venting (called Volcanic Massive Sulphides), now exposed terrestrially, have been extensively mined e.g. the Troodos Ophiolite in Cyprus. Exploration for such deposits is still underway with old volcanic systems now uncovered on land targeted.

Samples are collected from the depths of the ocean by the ROV manipulator arms and stored in compartments until the ROV is recovered.

To understand the geological controls of the vent field, it is important for us to acquire information about the surrounding rock and its tectonic history. For this we first shot a high-resolution multibeam survey over the vents from the ROV. Multibeam uses sonar imaging to present a 3D view of the sea bed over a larger extent than we can image with our cameras. The vents here have an unusual and dramatic setting: perched on the face of a near vertical cliff scarp almost 200m high, they are unique amongst the 210 known vent fields in the world. Such a setting makes surveys and studies of this vent field very difficult and challenging. Plus the hot water surrounding the vents distorts the sonar beams and gives false reflections in mid-water above the seafloor. Our search for more information about this part of the Mid-Atlantic spreading ridge allowed us to utilize time during bad weather when the ROV can not operate. (Top) The rock dredge was deployed to collect rock samples from the seafloor. (Below) Scientist Maria Judge examines rock samples acquired from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

During a window in which our ship pitched and rolled in 3m swells, we took the opportunity to drop a dredge over two previously unsampled flat topped sea mount volcanoes. The dredge is a heavy iron net that is dragged across the seafloor. It cuts through layers of soft sediment until it hits the hard rocky substrate below and drags up whatever it can dislodge along the way. By dredging these hitherto unknown volcanoes, we have gained some samples which, under more detailed scrutiny back home, will cast more light on the volcanic and magmatic processes responsible for creating such an incredibly dynamic environment.
With all Geologists, Biologists and Chemists satisfied by the samples and information acquired from the new vent discovery, we turn on our heels and speed towards the next target, the Moira Mounds. Here we are currently gathering video footage of a protected area at the Porcupine Seabight, famous for its magnificent cold-water coral habitats.
High-octane spirits among the team propelled planning, preparation and procedures toward an exciting scientific discovery and an awe-inspiring reward for all who worked on board. I feel fortunate to have worked with such an adept team. We are looking forward to sharing more details of this wonderful discovery on our return and safe docking in Cork on Thursday the 4th of August
The captain, crew and scientific team gather for a group photo after a highly successful survey.

For more on the VENTuRE cruise, please check out the Science blog spot,
UCC's student website,
And the Marine Institute website.
There is also an article in the Irish Times

INFOMAR marine geologist reports from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

2011-07-25T11:57:00.018+01:00

The VENTuRE Cruise, Research and Rescuing information from the deep with GSI based marine geologist Maria Judge onboard.
Location: 45°28.9'N 27°44.5'W Date: 20.07.11 Time: 18:00 hrs
The R.V. Celtic Explorer at Galway docks before sailing for the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Holland 1 the Marine Institute's remotely operated vehicle will be used to explore the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and enhance our current knowledge of vent and seep systems.

The scientists and crew of the Venture research survey, to 45°N on Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Irish cold-water corals of the Moira Mounds, have been onboard the R.V. Celtic Explorer since July 11th . This joint venture is lead by Andy Wheeler from University College Cork (UCC) in conjunction with the Marine Institute (MI), National Oceanographic Centre Southampton (NOC) in the United Kingdom, Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), National University of Ireland, Galway and National Geographic Television. Our venture began by readying our equipment, including the MI's deep-diving ROV "Holland 1" and preparing protocols to handle the huge amounts of data we expect to acquire.
Our mission is highly aspirational (and ambitious); we sail on the RV Celtic Explorer to 45°N, a portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, in search of Deep Hydrothermal Vents (otherwise known as Black Smokers). We intend to use the Irish ROV Holland, a deep-water remotely operated vehicle, to survey this idiosyncratic environment and its unique chemosynthetic ecosystems. This mission follows an earlier survey carried out at 45°N by NOC in 2008 which studied an Axial Volcanic Ridge and serendipitously discovered water column signatures typical of high temperature hydrothermal venting. These sparse indications were of dark smoky water, some 2600m below the sparkling blue ocean and hovering above the young volcanic ridge.
Our plan for this expedition is to actually find the source of the venting on the deep sea floor, photographically document it, make high-resolution multibeam sonar images and collect rocks and animals from the site. After this, we plan to steam back toward the Moira mounds, cold-water coral mounds in the Porcupine Seabight, to survey, video and sample these beautiful and ecologically valuable habitats.
On the 15th of July, with everyone onboard, we sailed out of a tranquil Galway Bay towards the setting sun. We passed the Galway Bay esker islands, the Aran Islands and daunting Cliffs of Moher standing proud to port and the Galway's granitic coastline framed by the dominating Dalradian metamorphic mountains of Connemara to starboard. Our sunset departure was captured on film from a helicopter by National Geographic TV who is onboard filming a documentary on our deep sea exploration. There was an air of excited anticipation on board, and some anxiety, as we had been experiencing some technical problems that cost us precious time. We were also aware that we would soon be faced with a howling North-west gale conjuring 3 to 4 metre swells.
With the technical issues solved, the mobilisation, calibration and wet tests of the CTD, underwater navigation system, the ROV, and ROV-mounted multibeam echosounder commenced. Happy with the results we steamed ahead into increasingly worsening weather that would actually average a 7m swell. As the waves grew in height and the ship rolled wildly all night, and with concern for the vessel and its expensive cargo, Denis the Captain decided to keep the vessel faced into the wind and hove-to until conditions eased enough to continue the transit. With most of the scientific team seasick, morale was low and concern increased as precious time ticked by.
Meanwhile, some scientists began to feel better, and began the analysis of previously acquired data. It was crucial at this point to constrain a target location and plan the best course of action. We started by integrating data acquired during the NOC cruise in 2008, using programs such as the 3D visualisation software Fledermaus and 2D geographic information mapping software Arc Map, where various layers of information are draped in one virtual environment. This method of display shows the topography of the ocean floor, the magnetic and sidescan imagery of the ocean floor and varying temperature and chemical signatures of the water column all in one visual space. Using our knowledge and some intuitive guess work we compared each attribute to locate the most plausible position for hydrothermal venting.
The team gathered and discussed the merits of one particular 'hot-spot' of interest; result! As a target location for the first analysis was decided. We then established the best course for our survey: to perform Tow-Yo CTD casts over the area. CTD stands for Conductivity, Temperature and Depth, these are just some of the parameters measured by this hardware. It is to be deployed over the side of the ship and moved through a section of water close to the sea floor (~3000m) by towing it in a yo-yo style we can assess the chemical signatures of the water column at varying heights. This we hoped would indicate the source where the 'buoyant plume' or 'smoke' of minerals ejected from the hydrothermal vent is located.
With the weather improving and a plan of action formed we are confidently steaming toward the target location. By first light we could be on location commencing survey.

Screen grab showing data (e.g. magnetic, sidescan and bathymetry) used to target ROV dives at the Mid-Atlantic ridge using the Holland 1 ROV.

For more on the VENTuRE cruise, please check out the Science blog spot: http://scientistsatsea.blogspot.com
And UCC's student website: http://blogs.ucc.ie/wordpress/bees

The R.V Keary @ Waterford Tallships Festival 2011

2011-07-19T14:06:00.050+01:00

The RV Keary, a 15m aluminium catamaran is a state-run marine research survey vessel built for and operated by the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI). Its primary function is to provide an inshore survey capability for the national INFOMAR programme (INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s MArine Resource).

The RV Keary’s first INFOMAR survey leg of 2011 took place in Waterford Harbour, starting in mid-April and finishing in mid-June.

Click here for more information.

The campaign focused on mapping the navigational channel in advance of the Tall Ships Festival which took place at the end of June, with mapping of the shallower areas along the river banks and shore being carried out by the GSI's 7.5m RIB, RV Geo. This was the first time that both vessels have worked in tandem.

Having successfully mapped the estuary the RV Keary was invited to participate in the Tall Ships Festival. The RV Keary was positioned in Waterford Marina beside The Revenue Commissioners customs cutter, the RCC Faire. The Keary was open to the public from Thursday afternoon June 29th until Saturday evening on July 2nd.

Seabed mapping of the estuary took place in an area west of the city's Rice Bridge to the open sea at the mouth of Waterford Harbour.
Visitors to the Tall Ships event were invited onboard in groups of approximately 15, and those waiting for the tour were informed of the INFOMAR programme through the display of posters outlining the history of the RV Keary and the INFOMAR programme attached to the vessel’s hull.

The tour commenced on the back deck where a brief introduction to the RV Keary, the 'Real Map of Ireland', the GSI, Marine Institute (MI), INFOMAR project and the survey acquisition systems and instrumentation was provided. Visitors were also shown the mapping tools used onboard such as the side scan sonar, the magnetometer and the grab sample equipment on the back deck and invited to ask questions on any aspect of the INFOMAR programme.

Following this, the groups were presented with an overview of the data acquired during the Waterford Harbour survey on the data processing pc. Features of interest in the data were highlighted, in particular a 60m shipwreck discovered opposite the marina in Waterford city. This vessel is believed to be the cargo ship the S.S. Harvard, dating from 1870, now embedded in a scour feature in the river bank just a kilometre from where the R.V. Keary was berthed. Also of great interest was the detailed imagery of whirlpool scours (dark blue - purple), created where the river flow meets the tide.

Next the group was invited to view the 'pod' which is located in the middle of the vessel between the two hulls. The pod is designed to accommodate the geophysical equipment onboard such as the single beam head, multibeam heads, chirp, USBL transceiver and SV sensor in one housing. The pod is mounted on a hydraulic ram that can raise and lower the instrumentation into and out of the water. Once the pod has been lowered into the survey position, lateral rams lock the pod in place to ensure that the system is stable and the instrumentation is in the same position each time the pod is moved.

Finally, a tour of the bridge and its instrumentation was provided. The Navigation and Communication Equipment was explained including the POS MV (GPS technology) which logs all motion information in space and time, allowing the removal of the vessels motion from the sonar and shallow seismic datasets. Also, the forward looking sonar which provides information about the nature and depth of the seabed ahead of the Keary and the auto pilot steering of survey lines. A 3D fly-through of Waterford Harbour on display generated huge interest with visitors receiving a 3D visual of the seabed of Waterford harbour.

To the delight of the visitors onboard, RV Keary and Real Map of Ireland postcards were distributed along with copies of Inshore Ireland ( with Keary articles), and information on the copper coast geopark project and Marine Institute, not forgetting our younger visitors, the kiddies who received lollipops! The visitors were then free to explore the front deck of the vessel and take photographs.

Over 1,000 people came onboard to visit the RV Keary on guided tours over the three days and the positive feedback and interest in the INFOMAR programme and the data being acquired was exceptional.

On the final day of a highly successful Tall Ships event, the RV Keary participated in the 'Parade of Sails' on Sunday 3rd July. The parade was led by the naval vessel the L.E. Aoife, followed by the RCC Faire with the RV Keary in third position ahead of the biggest tallship the Russian owned 'Mir' and the remainder of the Tall Ships fleet.

Visit our Flickr site for more photos.

KRY11_01 Waterford Harbour

2011-06-17T15:29:00.056+01:00

The RV Keary’s first INFOMAR survey leg of 2011 took place in Waterford Harbour, starting in mid-April and finishing in mid-June. INFOMAR is a joint research program between the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI). The campaign focused on mapping the navigational channel in advance of the Tall Ships Festival at the end of June, with mapping of the shallower areas along the river banks and shore being carried out by the GSI's 7.5m RIB, RV Geo. This was the first time that both vessels have worked in tandem, and this proved to be a very effective approach to mapping an area of seabed from deeper waters right up to the shoreline.

The survey area itself contained an existing dataset that was mapped by the RV Celtic Voyager in 2007, which provided coverage of the harbour approaches from the 10m contour to greater depths offshore (first image below). Both the RV Keary and Geo overlapped their coverage with this previous dataet, producing a comprehensive and seamless seabed map of the area (second image).

Waterford Harbour proved to be both an interesting and challenging environment to survey given the complex currents and steep waves produced by the confluence of three rivers (the Suir, the Barrow and the Nore) which resulted in challenging sea states in even the calmest of weather. Complicated tidal patterns and hidden shoals required great skill on the part of the skippers to safely navigate the estuary from Rice Bridge to the harbour mouth, at times needing to manoeuvre the vessels through swirling whirlpools and shifting eddies. Some of the survey lines were run with the vessels “crabbing” sideways against the powerful river and tidal currents that attempted to push them off course. In addition constant changes in salinity and temperature brought about by the interaction of fresh and salt water required that regular sound velocity profiles (SVPs) were carried out. The SVPs were necessary because the sonar systems used to map the seabed measure the travel time of sound waves through the water. As water temperature and salinity differ from within and between survey areas, so too does the speed of sound. Therefore these effects must be corrected for in order to accurately map the seabed. The SVP data were acquried by lowering a probe into the water column, measuring the temperature and salinity of the water and therefore providing the survey team with a record of the sound velocity in a given location. By conducting regular sound velocity casts in Waterford Harbour, the team ensured that the final dataset would require minimal processing to correct for errors created by the complicated water structure. The advantage of acquiring this data is that the information gathered during the survey constitute a unique dataset which can have additional use in the study of the local oceanography of the area.

The seabed area surveyed yielded a host of interesting patterns and features, all of which were captured in detailed 3D imagery by the Keary and Geo’s state of the art mapping instrumentation - not the least of these was a 60m shipwreck discovered opposite the marina in Waterford city. This vessel is believed to be the cargo ship the S.S. Harvard, dating from 1870, and now embedded in a scour feature in the river bank. In the top-left corner of the image below, a spar is visible jutting out from the bow (called a “bowsprit”), which shows that this was a sailing vessel. She ran aground on Cromwell’s rock while attempting to anchor. At the time she was transporting a cargo of copper ore and oranges from Huelva, Spain to Liverpool, United Kingdom. The second image shows a 3D view of the Harvard wreck, with the river bank rising on the right of the image.

Below is an image of a pipeline running across the main channel in the harbour mouth. The purple boundary on the chart background is a “no-anchorage” zone that has been marked out to enclose the pipeline’s possible location. Following the Keary’s survey, the pipe is now clearly visible in the seabed imagery (marked with a red arrow).

Other interesting seabed features include sand waves generated by the fast-flowing currents, deep scours carved out by circulating eddies and prominent outcrops of bedrock. These rock outcrops are interesting as they may be sheets of igneous rock that were intruded into the surrounding sedimentary rock many millions of years ago – otherwise known as igneous “dykes”, due to their wall-like geometry. They have been found elsewhere in this region by geologists mapping onshore.
Because these dykes are made of very hard material, they remained prominent while the river eroded away the surrounding softer rocks over time. Along with being interesting from a geological perspective, they could also pose a serious hazard to navigation if a vessel were to venture away from the main shipping channel. Below is a series of images of the features mentioned above.

"Maulus Rock", a possible igneous dyke. The top half of the image shows the rock enclosed in a red rectangle, while the bottom half shows it in profile, 3D view. Note its prominent relief.

Whirpool scours, created when the river flow meets the tide.

Wave structures on the river bed, produced by powerful currents.

Shoals and deeps where the river Barrow (top-right) meets the river Suir.

Below is a series of images of the two vessels at work in Waterford Harbour. The first image shows the RV Keary and RV Geo arriving at Dunmore East.

An aft view of the RV Keary, showing the A-frame which is used to deploy sound velocity probes to measure ocean temperature and salinity.

The RV Geo in transit across the harbour. Note the equipment hoisted above the front of the cabin - this is the sonar sensor that is used to map the seabed.

The first of the tall ships arrives in advance of the Tall Ships 2011 festival.

Porcupine Bank Groundtruthing CE11_017

2011-05-26T12:11:00.016+01:00

The Marine Institute Research Vessel the R.V. Celtic Explorer completed mobilisation for the INFOMAR ground-truthing survey, CE11017, on the10th May 2011. INFOMAR is a joint research program between GSI and MI. Associated research partners for this cruise are the following Irish universities; DCU, NUIG, NUIM and UCD.

On the 11h of May the vessel departed from Cork at midday heading to the Atlantic Ocean. The first stop was Dunmanus Bay in the SW of Ireland where we arrived at 5 a.m. the following day. Several shallow cores were taken targeting a small cluster of pockmarks in shallow gas sediments in about 40m water depth. After completion, the survey work continued in fairly good weather conditions running a long shallow seismic line towards the outer bay to get a better understanding of the shallow stratigraphy.

After completion of the seismic line, the vessel transited to the second research location on the Porcupine Seabight to study the Nephrops habitat. Shortly after arrival, two underwater video transects were run using the MI video sled. This was followed by sediment sampling in the vicinity of these transects using a grab sampler (Day Grab). It was decided, based on the weather forecast for the upcoming 24 hours, to begin transiting to the M6 weather buoy position to deploy the buoy. Halfway to the buoy position, vibrocores at two stations were taken and short cores were retrieved in a complex gravelly seabed terrain with low ridges. The M6 buoy was deployed on the morning of the 14th of May and the one in the water was brought on-board successfully.

The survey resumed towards the Porcupine Bank, our next research area, which up to now was a relatively unknown seabed. Several vibrocores, grab samples and three rock dredge transects were taken during the rest of the 15th May. Two video lines were run in that area displaying a variety of seabed types from boulder fields to fine sand with macro benthic fauna present. On the 16th May, the survey continued entirely on the top of the Porcupine Bank using grab samples and finally rock dredge transects to obtain sediments and rock samples form the hardest areas. Several video lines run overnight, were used to correlate some of the rock dredge transects. On the 17h May, after a few grabs on gravelly ground, the weather improved and it was decided to spend most of the day vibrocoring. 7 stations were occupied in a transect around the Porcupine “Saddle” in water depths from 220m to 330m targeting a variety of ridges. Most of the targets were successfully cored and they provided a mixture of gravels and clay.

On the 18th May the weather worsened and it was decided to spend the morning taking water samples in deep waters (2200 m) using the rosette. After completion, an attempt to recover the cetacean hydrophones was carried out but it was not possible to recover them due to the high swells. Swell of up to 7m and gales, forced the expedition to leave the area and head back towards the SW coast of Ireland again.

On the 19th May, on reaching the SW, the weather was significantly better and allowed for coring. Several vibrocores in relatively deep waters (c. 400 m) were obtained in an area shaped with low mounds. A transect of grab samples from the 500m contour to the 100m contour followed with finality to observe changes in the benthic fauna and living foraminifera. Finally, five more vibrocore stations were taken in the inner shelf in an area of possible glacial ridges.

On the 20th May we spent most of the time in Dunmanus Bay running video lines and taking several vibrocres, 6 in total, for additional shallow stratigraphy research. Later in the evening the final transit to Cork commenced which would finish the survey.

The vessel proceeded for demobilisation in Cork and the ship docked around midnight on the 20th May completing a successful expedition despite the adverse weather conditions.

New Video Tutorials for Webmapping viewer

2010-11-30T12:03:00.005Z

Several small video tutorials have been created to help users when viewing the Infomar Webmapping viewer. The tutorials can be accessed from the Help section of the webmapping viewer, go to http://geos.marine.ie/Infomar and click on Help in top left of page, next click on the Video Tutorials link in the help.

These tutorials cover the following functions that a user may wish to perform:
- View various layers in the map
- Using the navigation tools to zoom in/out and move around the map
- Using the other tools available such as the Magnifier, Identify, Measure and Overview Map tools
- Using the Identify tool to download a chart or shipwreck pdf

Other tutorials are available to demonstrate how to download the data shown in the viewer from the Interactive Web Data Delivery system. These tutorials show:
- How to download the bathymetry data as an ArcGIS grid
- How to download the shaded relief and backscatter data as geotiff images

KRY10_04 Blacksod Bay

2010-11-09T15:00:00.005Z

The final survey undertaken in 2010 by the RV Keary was in Blacksod Bay, Co. Mayo in late September and early October. This area had existing datasets from INFOMAR surveys when Celtic Voyager mapped a large portion of the deeper water between Achill Island and the Mullet Peninsula in 2008. The other datasets seen below are a combination of LiDAR from Tenix LADS and Pelydrn campaigns in 2008 and 2010, respectively. It was left for the Keary to fill the spaces between these surveys and to run comparison cross lines to ensure that all data could be joined seamlessly upon completion of the bay. Initial progress was good, however with the beginning of October so came a deterioration in weather which limited survey operations on this exposed stretch of coast. The images below show the progress in multibeam sonar coverage until surveying was postponed on 15th October with the RV Keary returning to Dun Laoghaire for the winter.

Overview of multibeam sonar coverage achieved from KRY10_04 in Blacksod Bay, Co. Mayo. Blue hatching showing areas already covered by Celtic Voyager and LiDAR datasets.

Detail of multibeam sonar data collected south of Duvillaun More off the SW tip of the Mullet Peninsula showing outcropping bedrock with sediment accumulation in the eastern lee side of the outcrop.

Detail of multibeam sonar data collected North of Slievemore, Achill Island showing sedimentary bedforms on the seabed.

The RV Keary will return to Blacksod Bay in the near future to complete the survey and groundtruth the bay.

Media Coverage of INSS/INFOMAR from Geoscience 2010 and Atlas of the Deep-Water Seabed: Ireland book launch

2010-11-09T09:11:00.011Z

Following on from the success of the Geoscience 2010 conference and the launch of the new "Atlas of the Deep-Water Seabed: Ireland" authored by Boris Dorschel and Andy Wheeler of University College Cork (UCC) and Xavi Monteys and Koen Verbruggen of the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), there has been lots of coverage of Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and INFOMAR datasets in the national media. Here is a sample of recent reports;

> RTE television Six One News with Bryan Dobson & Sharon Ní Bheoláin

04/11/2010: Joe Mag Raollaigh reports from Dublin Castle about the 3D atlas of the mountains and valleys under the sea, west of Ireland. The atlas, which was compiled in UCC, is based on survey work conducted by the Marine Institute and Geological Survey of Ireland. Interview with Keonraad Verbruggen (Geological Survey of Ireland; Joint Manager of the INFOMAR project). Watch by clicking on the image.

> RTE Radio 1 Seascapes

05/11/2010: The " Atlas of the Deep Water Seabed: Ireland" compiled by University College, Cork from data gathered as part of the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and INFOMAR inshore seabed survey undertaken by the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), the Marine Institute (MI) and partners, was unveiled this week by Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D. at the Geoscience 2010 conference in Dublin Castle.

Click image to access podcasts and select podcast for 5th November 2010. The atlas coverage starts at 7 minutes 34 seconds into the podcast.

> RTE Radio Na Gealtachta Ar Strae sa tSaotharlann

06/11/2010: A new science programme as gaeilge on RTE Radio Na Gealtachta reporting on science news of the week.

Click image to access podcasts and select podcast for "Ar Strae sa tSaotharlann: Dé Sathairn 06 Samhain". The Atlas coverage starts 25 minutes and 8 seconds into the podcast.

> The Irish Times

04/11/2010: A report by Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent for the Irish Times about the launch of the atlas and an overview of the INSS and INFOMAR projects.

Click image to access full article.

> The Irish Examiner

04/11/2010: A report by Noel Baker for the Irish Examiner about the launch of the atlas at Geoscience 2010.

Click image to access full article.

> Afloat Magazine Website

03/11/2010: A report by Ireland's Sailing and Boating magazine about the launch of the atlas at Geoscience 2010.

Click image to access full article.

> University College Cork Media and Communications News Website

05/11/2010: Article about the launch of the atlas at Geoscience 2010.

Click image to access full article.

> Geological Survey of Ireland Website

03/11/2010: Article about the launch of the atlas at Geoscience 2010.

Click image to access full article.

> Marine Institute Website

03/11/2010: Article about the launch of the atlas at Geoscience 2010.

Click image to access full article.

More information about the Atlas can be found here

Atlas of the Deep Water Seabed: Ireland launched at Geoscience 2010

2010-11-08T10:12:00.013Z

The Geoscience Conference at Dublin Castle was chosen as the event where Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D. Minister of State for the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources officially unveiled the new Springer publication "Atlas of the Deep Water Seabed: Ireland" authored by Boris Dorschel and Andy Wheeler of University College Cork (UCC) and Xavi Monteys and Koen Verbruggen of the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI).

According to Springer, the book is "presented in an accessible, user-friendly format, this atlas sets out all the major features revealed during one of the largest ever deep-sea mapping campaigns. A unique insight into the morphology of the seabed along the continental margin of the North-East Atlantic, it reveals for the first time many features that have hitherto been hidden beneath the waves. It is organised both thematically and by region, with the sea floor and its biological hotspots – areas of high biodiversity such as seamounts – shown at a resolution not possible before. The atlas presents everything from submarine canyons to coral carbonate mounds, using digital terrain models generated from multibeam data and photographs taken from unmanned deep-water vehicles (ROVs).

The full-colour imagery includes digital three-dimensional seabed maps as well as the photographs, with concise text descriptions and topic boxes used to highlight and explain the geological, biological and hydrographical features, in addition to their importance and context in the deep-sea realm. Alongside the wealth of background information and topic boxes on special highlights, extensive on-line resources link the reader to full data sets and GIS locations, while suggestions for further reading point to ongoing research highlights. This is a fascinating resource that will be of use to anyone involved in off-shore and underwater activities, whether scientific or commercial."

View of the Gollum Channel, the largest marine channel system in Europe, situated on the Porcupine Seabight, off the southwest coast of Ireland. (Reference: Fig 7.22 "Gollum Channel" p. 59 Dorschel, B. et al (2010) "Atlas of the Deep-Water Seabed: Ireland" Springer.

View of corals, brinsingid sea stars, brittle stars, sponges living on sheer cliff faces called escarpments on the eastern Rockall Bank, about 400 km NW of Erris Head, Co. Mayo. Reference: Fig 9.7 "Fauna on the upper slope of an escarpment on the eastern Rockall Bank." p. 82 Dorschel, B. et al (2010) "Atlas of the Deep-Water Seabed: Ireland" Springer. Imagery from the 2009 Offshore Geogenic Reef Mapping Project are provided courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the Marine Institute and Geological Survey of Ireland as part of INFOMAR.

The Atlas is divided into 4 parts;

1. Background and Overview which gives background to INFOMAR predecessor the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS), introduces the data types collected during the surveys and familiarises the reader with the geographic locations of features that are discussed later in the book .

2. Thematic Atlas

This section separates the features seen on the seabed into categories and focuses individually on their location, formation and appearance. The features discussed are Canyons and Channels, Seamounts, Escarpments, Mound Features and Coral Carbonate Mounds and Iceberg Ploughmarks.

3. Regional Atlas

In the third section, the Irish seabed is divided into regions and the features seen in these regions are identified and investigated. The regions of interest are Southwest Approaches and Goban Spur, Porcupine Seabight, Porcupine Bank, Northernmost Irish Continental Margin, Rockall Trough, Rockall Bank and Hatton-Rockall Basin & Hatton Bank.

4. Going Deeper

This section deals with the INSS and INFOMAR data behind the images in the atlas and their availability online and free of charge here

Photograph of the authors of the Atlas with Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D., second from left (R to L): Dr. Boris Dorschel (UCC), Dr. Andy Wheeler (UCC) and Xavi Monteys (GSI). Missing from photograph is the fourth author Koen Verbruggen (GSI). Photograph credit: Courtesy of Marine Institute

The atlas is currently available online at Springer and to order on Amazon and shortly in selected bookshops.

INFOMAR at Geoscience Conference 2010

2010-10-20T09:04:00.010+01:00

A two-day conference on the Geoscience Sector will take place in Dublin Castle on the 3rd and 4th November 2010. The morning sessions of the first day of the conference will focus on INFOMAR specific topics such as survey progress in 2010, the first full year of survey operations with the RV Keary and the success of the 2010 LiDAR campaign with Pelydryn.

The late morning and afternoon will look at where Irish National Seabed Survey and INFOMAR data has been and is being used in marine science research including deepwater reefs, carbonate mounds, seabed classification, seabed morphology and many other areas of research.

There is no charge for attending the event but those interested should confirm their interest by e-mailing michael.o'mahony@gsi.ie

Official agenda for both days can be found here.

CV10_03 Cork and Waterford

2010-10-15T08:51:00.008+01:00

The final INFOMAR survey of 2010 onboard the Celtic Voyager took place from the 26th September to the 5th October off the coast of Cork and Waterford from Ballycotton to Mine Head, continuing work from the second part of the CV10_02 leg earlier in the year.

Overview of multibeam sonar coverage achieved during the Celtic Voyager survey in the Southern Priority Area off Cork and Waterford.

This survey successfully joined datasets from 2008 off Cork and 2007 off Waterford and Wexford to form a continuous band of survey data from the Old Head of Kinsale, Co. Cork to Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford.

Coverage extents from INFOMAR surveys with the Celtic Voyager from 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 linking datasets from the Old Head of Kinsale east to Carnsore Point, covering a significant portion of the Southern Priority Area.

Multibeam sonar data of the wreck of the SS Bandon. This Irish cargo steamer of 80 metres in length was torpedoed by German U-Boat, UC-44 S of Mine Head on 13th April 1917. 28 crew were killed in the attack.

Further information on the wrecks surveyed by INFOMAR is available here.

Photograph of Ballycotton lighthouse from the Celtic Voyager.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

CV10_02 Wexford Waterford and Cork

2010-10-13T11:55:00.014+01:00

In July, the RV Celtic Voyager continued to survey the seabed off the coast of Wexford, Waterford and Cork. This data will be included in individual INFOMAR priority bays such as Waterford Harbour and also in the Southern Priority Area which extends from Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford westward along the south coast of Ireland. This leg was divided into two parts with the first period concentrated in an area between Hook Head and the Saltee Islands, continuing on from survey coverage achieved in 2009 on CV09_03. The Celtic Voyager has now surveyed a large portion of this area and the remaining shallow, nearshore area will be finished by the RV Keary in the future.

Overview of survey work completed by the Celtic Voyager off the Wexford coast in July with existing INFOMAR survey work shown in the hatched area.

Area of detail from the multibeam sonar data for an area of seabed SW of the Great Saltee. The is an interesting feature west of the Conningmore Rocks which is possibly an area of sediment accumulation in the lee of the rocks due tidal currents. West of this feature is a shallow area of rock outcrop known as the Red Bank.

Area of detail from the multibeam sonar data for an area of rock outcrop on the seabed E of Hook Head showing complex structural geology with folding and faulting evident on the dataset. Future survey work and research may be useful in interpreting and linking these datasets to the diverse onland geology seen on Hook Head.

With the area of seabed off Wexford surveyed, operations moved down the coast to begin surveying an area that linked data acquired by the Celtic Voyager in 2008 off Cork and data from 2007 off Waterford.

Overview of survey work completed by the Celtic Voyager off the Cork and Waterford coast in July with existing INFOMAR survey work shown in the hatched area.

Plan view of multibeam sonar dataset showing the wreck of the Etal Manor on the seabed south of Hook Head. The c. 80 m Etal Manor was a British cargo steamer that was torpedoed in 1917 by German U-Boat UC-48 resulting in the deaths of 6 onboard.

Further information on the wrecks surveyed by INFOMAR is available here.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

KRY10_03 Clifden and Mannin Bay

2010-10-13T10:53:00.018+01:00

On completion of the survey portion of work in Kinsale, the RV Keary made the transit to Clifden Bay to begin mapping in Clifden Bay, Mannin Bay and the seabed outside the bays, north of Slyne Head to Cruagh Island. The inner most and shallowest areas of the bays had been surveyed using LiDAR earlier in the year. Click here for more information on that LiDAR survey.

Overview image of multibeam sonar data of all coverage achieved in Clifden and Mannin Bays. LiDAR coverage is represented by the hatched area.

Initially the survey was concentrated in the deeper water areas, seaward of the bays. It was in this area, NE of the Barret Shoals that a steep outcrop of rock rising to a chart depth of 12.2 metres in surrounding water depths of 30 to 40 metres was mapped for the first time. This significant shoal was surveyed in detail and a H102 note was prepared for the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) so that this shoal location can be quickly updated in the charts as a possible danger to navigation.

Datasets showing the previously uncharted shoal mapped during INFOMAR survey KRY10_03, NE of the Barret Shoals.

Multibeam sonar data showing three charted shoals mapped west of Clifden Bay during INFOMAR survey KRY10_03. The data shows that water depths are shallower (shown as red and orange colours) over these rock outcrops than the surrounding seabed (shown as green and blue colours) and can present a danger to navigation.

Entrance to Clifden Bay with the beacon on Errislanan marking the southern entrance of the bay. In the background are the Twelve Pins mountains of Connemara. The ruins of Clifden castle can also be seen in the centre of the photograph. The RV Keary anchored in Clifden Bay during the survey of Clifden and Mannin Bay.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

KRY10_02 Kinsale Harbour and Approaches

2010-10-13T09:37:00.013+01:00

Following on from survey work by the RV Celtic Voyager in 2008 of the deeper water from the Old Head of Kinsale to Ballycotton, the RV Keary completed the inshore portion of the remaining bathymetric surveying necessary for Kinsale Harbour and Approaches. This was the Keary's first survey work outside of Dublin Bay, with a successful survey of the inshore strip along the east side of the Old Head, into the harbour as far as the bridge over the river Bandon and east along the coast as far as Barry's Head.

Extent of coverage from the RV Keary survey in Kinsale with existing Celtic Voyager data shown in the hatched area.

Before the survey was commenced, a calibration of the multibeam system was necessary and the relatively deep water and defined shape of the hull of RMS Lusitania lying on the seabed off the Old Head provided a good site. One of Ireland's best known wrecks, the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-Boat on May 7th 1915 resulting in the deaths of over one thousand people onboard.

Plan view of EM3002 D multibeam data showing the clear outline of the hull resting on it's side. Also apparent is the fracture at mid ship seen in both the dataset above and seabed image capture below.

Oblique view of EM3002 D multibeam data point cloud showing the shape of the wreck on the seabed along the hull.

Multibeam sonar data collected west of Big Sovereign island, east of Kinsale Harbour, showing well exposed, folded and faulted bedrock on the seabed.

Further information on the wrecks surveyed by INFOMAR is available here.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

2010 LiDAR Surveying

2010-10-12T14:44:00.010+01:00

From the 1st March to 17th March, INFOMAR contracted Pelydryn to perform airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys in a series of shallow water bays and loughs on the West, Northwest and North coasts. This geophysical method involves the use of eye-safe laser technology to measure water depths. It is achieved by calculating the difference between laser returns from the sea surface and the seabed.

Based at Knock and Donegal airports, Pelydryn surveyed parts of Broadhaven Bay, Blacksod Bay and Achill Sound in the Northwest. Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay in the North. Clifden Bay, Mannin Bay, Ballyconneely Bay, Bertraboy Bay and Kilkeran Bay were surveyed in Co. Galway. Datasets collected include both marine and terrestrial LiDAR as well as aerial photographs to facilitate seamless integration of both offshore LiDAR and acoustic datasets to onshore topographic surveys.

The aircraft used by Pelydryn during the LiDAR surveys taking off from Ireland West Airport Knock. The plane was grounded on several occasions during the survey period due to volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland. Nevertheless, the survey was still successful in gathering a large amount of data in areas where acoustic surveying on a boat would be time consuming and have an increased risk attached.

Coverage of LiDAR surveys in Broadhaven Bay, Blacksod Bay, Achill Sound. Previous INFOMAR survey areas shown in hatched areas.

Coverage of LiDAR surveys in Clifden Bay, Mannin Bay, Ballyconneely Bay, Bertraboy Bay and Kilkeran Bay. Previous INFOMAR survey areas shown in hatched areas.

Coverage of LiDAR surveys in Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. Previous INFOMAR survey areas shown in hatched areas. The outer reaches of Mulroy Bay have also been previously surveyed using LiDAR.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

CV10_01 Irish Sea Priorty Area

2010-10-11T09:02:00.015+01:00

INFOMAR continued to progress surveying of a priority area in the Irish Sea during April and June with the Marine Institute's research vessel Celtic Voyager. On this leg CV10_01, the survey extended from Clogher Head, Co. Louth in the north to Wicklow Head, Co. Wicklow in the south.

Overview of the area surveyed in the Irish Sea during the CV10_01 leg in April and June 2010.

During the survey, the remains of 13 ship wrecks were surveyed. These had all been previously charted however this new data will allow the locations of the wrecks to be pin pointed with greater accuracy. Initial research of existing databases suggests that 5 of the ships were sunk as a result of attacks on British merchant vessels during World War 1.

Perspective view of survey data showing the SS Hare on the seabed.

For more information about wrecks surveyed by INFOMAR visit here

Another interesting feature that became apparent on the multibeam sonar data was the presence of a number of small features in the seabed, east of Wicklow Head. Further investigation using a drop camera showed the features to be boulders up to 2 metres in size. They have been interpreted as granite boulders deposited offshore by glacial processes.

Photograph taken by an underwater camera of the boulders on the seabed off Wicklow Head.

Due to the strong tidal currents operating in the Irish Sea, the multibeam sonar data also surveyed a large scour area off the Wicklow coast. This large depression is over 100 metres deep whereas the surrounding water depth is closer to 30 metres. The feature is over 2.5 kilometres long and 600 metres wide.

Tidal scour feature surveying during the CV10_01 leg.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

The Real Map of Ireland now in Folens Schools Atlas

2010-04-12T09:21:00.006+01:00

A new schools atlas featuring, for the first time in the history of the State, a detailed map of Ireland’s seabed designated area was launched on Tuesday 6th April at the INTO conference in Galway. The Folens/Phillips New Irish Primary Atlas features “The Real Map of Ireland”, the results of detailed seabed mapping undertaken by the Marine Institute and the Geological Survey of Ireland during the Irish National Seabed Survey and INFOMAR projects, the Petroleum Affairs Division survey of the continental shelf edge and finally the GEBCO digital atlas. The data was acquired using cutting edge multibeam sonar technology from a variety of research vessels.

“The Real Map of Ireland showing Ireland's marine territory is generating great interest,” said Noreen Sheehan, Sales and Marketing Director for Folens, “and this adds a new and vital dimension to the new schools Atlas. Many teachers are taking printed copies of The Real Map of Ireland from our stand and we look forward to seeing this interest reflected in take-up of the new publication by schools.”

The Real Map of Ireland already forms the foundation of a number of primary school lesson plans available for download free of charge from the Marine Institute’s website at www.marine.ie. These lesson plans, which are linked to the SESE primary curriculum, open the world of Ireland’s oceans and seas to teachers as cross-curricular examples in subjects including Art, Geography, History, Science and Environmental studies.

Copies of the Folens/Phillips New Irish Primary Atlas (ISBN 978-1-84741-598-1) are available from local school bookshops and regular suppliers.

Groundtruthing in Donegal and Sligo Bays

2009-12-14T10:10:00.008Z

From the 6th to 8th of July 2009, a ground truthing or seabed sampling survey was undertaken in the region of Donegal and Sligo Bay.

A local vessel, the K-Mar-K from Killybegs, was chartered for this purpose. The vessels top speed of greater than 20 knots, high maneuverability and experienced crew proved highly successful for sample acquisition.

Local vessel, the K-Mar-K from Killybegs, provided the platform for the ground truthing leg.

90 proposed sample sites were identified in the area, based on bathymetric data previously collected by INFOMAR surveys and also on seabed classification map products by INFOMAR. Of these proposed locations, 80 were successfully sampled, despite adverse weather conditions.

Map of the sample locations in Donegal and Sligo Bays .

In all instances, the 'Day Grab' was used to ensure consistency in results and due to ease of handling of this grab design. The samples recovered were described and photographed once brought on deck but will also undergo further detailed particle size analysis and will be used to refine INFOMAR seabed classification and geology products for the region.

The Day Grab (to left) on the back deck of the K-Mar-K which was used at all sampling sites.

Example of a sediment sample collected during the ground truthing leg.

The use of a suitable, locally sourced vessel capable of high-speed transits between sample locations, maximised the cost effectiveness of this sampling campaign in Donegal and Sligo Bays.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

CV09_05 Survey off North Dublin coast

2009-12-09T14:25:00.012Z

The final INFOMAR survey of the 2009 season has just been finished off the coast of north Co. Dublin. Mobilising in Galway and making a transit through heavy sea conditions, the Celtic Voyager arrived in Howth harbour on the 25th November. Surveying was concentrated to an area north of the Ben of Howth and to Skerries. The aim of the leg was to complete remaining unsurveyed areas that will allow data from three earlier survey legs to be merged together. Following this survey leg, a large portion of the Irish Sea seabed from south of Carlingford Lough to the Kish bank has been mapped.

Overview map containing multibeam echosounder dataset of the area of seabed that was surveyed during CV09_05 off the north Co. Dublin coast.

High quality shallow seismic pinger profile which penetrates beneath the seabed (to a depth of around 24 metres in this case) shows three distinct reflectors. An undulating reflector interpreted as rock or glacial sediments (blue reflector). This depression or perhaps erosion feature (channel) is filled with sediment (red reflector). A final layer of sediment, probably recent marine sediments forms what is now the current seabed (green reflector)

High quality shallow seismic pinger profile showing a distinct porabola on a section of flat seabed indictaing the possible location of a pipeline that was later confirmed on naviagtion charts.

Over the duration of the leg, weather conditions were mixed which hampered operations as poor weather effects data quality which limited the amount of surveying that can be achieved. However, all proposed survey areas were completed and some interesting datasets acquired.

During the survey, the Marine Institute's M2 oceanographic databouy was recovered to the back deck of the Celtic Voyager for repair.

The Irish Coast Guard performs training drills with the Celtic Voyager during the CV09_05 survey leg.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

RV Keary progress in Dublin Bay

2009-11-05T10:40:00.018Z

Since late July, the Geological Survey of Ireland's new survey vessel, RV Keary has been making steady progress in completing the shallow water areas of Dublin Bay on survey leg KRY09_02 that were not covered by previous surveys by the Celtic Voyager. The main areas of surveying have been concentrated close to the coastline around inner Dublin Bay and on top of the shallowest areas of the Kish Bank, surveying at high spring tides to ensure safest draught clearance.

RV Keary surveying the seabed south of Dun Laoghaire in August. (Click for larger image)

To date the vessel has been operating during daylight, in weather conditions of sea state 4 or less as data quality is reduced beyond these weather conditions. Currently the crew of 4 are sufficient to perform all operation and scientific duties onboard. Weather permitting it is hoped to complete Dublin Bay by end of 2009. The RV Keary coverage will be added to by the Celtic Voyager which will be surveying in the Dublin Bay/North of Howth area in late November/early December 2009.

Overall coverage achieved by RV Keary in Dublin Bay to date. (Click for larger image)

Multibeam echosounder shaded relief image of the shallowest ridge of the Kish Bank. (Click for larger image)

Multibeam echosounder shaded relief image of the Rossbeg Bank located south east of the Baily on Howth Head. (Click for larger image)

RV Keary returning to Dun Laoghaire marina after another day of successful surveying. (Click for larger image)

More information about the RV Keary can be found here.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

CV09_03 Survey off Wexford coast

2009-08-26T15:20:00.020+01:00

The Celtic Voyager returned to Howth harbour on the 18th August 2009 to demobilise following another successful geophysical survey of the seabed, this time off the Wexford coastline as part of the ongoing INFOMAR project. Having mobilised in Cork on the 28th July, the vessel transited to Rosslare to begin surveying along the eastern coastline of Wexford. The initial 2 weeks of the leg were spent mapping the seabed around the busy ferry and goods port of Rosslare Harbour. This data will be of great assistance to safe navigation in the area with a large portion of the approaches and the harbour itself successfully mapped. As well as this, some very interesting scientific data of the active, large-scale sand waves on the seabed off the southeast coast was also collected (see pinger data below).

Highlight image of data collected using a multibeam echosounder of the seabed around Tuscar Rock off the coast of Wexford. The image shows the shallow rock upon which Tuscar Lighthouse is built (below).

Following a change of crew and scientific staff on the 11th August, the final week of operations were concentrated along the south Wexford coast, as far west as the Saltee Islands. Mapping this area was challenging due to the combination of strong tidal currents and dangerous outcrops of rock in shallow waters.

Data from the pinger, a seismic instrument that uses sound waves to penetrate through the seabed to image the sediments beneath the seafloor in a profile view. This image captures the symmetric sand wave forms which measure over 8 metres from crest to trough and roughly 200 metres wavelength. These sand waves lie on the seabed east of the Lucifer Bank, northeast of Rosslare Harbour.

Photograph of the new INFOMAR radar tide gauge that was installed by OTT hydrometry at Rosslare Harbour to measure variations in the tide height to correct soundings taken on the vessel throughout the duration of the survey.

Photograph of a fishing vessel just offshore of Carnsore Point, on the southeast tip of Ireland taken from the Celtic Voyager.

This survey also consisted of a large portion of the South East Priority Area (off the southeast of Ireland) that will also be mapped by INFOMAR.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

CV09_02 Survey of Dingle, Tralee, St. Finan's and Ballinskelligs Bays

2009-05-17T19:38:00.027+01:00

The second INFOMAR survey of 2009 has just been completed in Dingle, Tralee, St. Finan's and Ballinskelligs Bay in Co. Kerry using the Marine Institutes research vessel Celtic Voyager. The month long survey was divided into fortnight long legs and kicked off from Galway Docks on Friday May 15th, just days before the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race stopover. From May 16th to 29th, the survey was focused in an area east of a line from Slea Head on the Dingle peninsula to Doulus head on the Iveragh peninsula into the 10 metre depth contour just offshore of Inch and Rossbehy strands. The second leg from May 29th to June 12th was surveyed the remaining area of seabed in outer Dingle bay, around the Blasket Islands and further south to St. Finan's and Ballinskelligs Bay.

With the proposed area to be surveyed around Dingle bay complete before the end of the survey, the Celtic Voyager relocated to Tralee bay to survey the remaining area of seabed between the coverage from a LiDAR survey of the inner bay in 2008 and the survey of Shannon estuary and approaches earlier in the year.

Images generated from MBES data showing the wreck of the Manchester Merchant which lies 11 metres below the surface in Dingle Bay. The 137 metre long merchant vessel sank in January 1903 after being towed into Dingle Bay following a fire on board. The cargo of the ship included bales of cotton from New Orleans in transit to Manchester. Bourke, Edward J. "Shipwrecks of the Irish coast"

View of sea cliffs on Dingle Peninsula from Celtic Voyager.

View of Dingle lighthouse from Celtic Voyager while entering Dingle Harbour for crew change on May 29th.

Sunset in Dingle Bay on May 25th.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.

CV09_23 Ground Truthing in Bantry and Dunmanus Bays

2009-05-08T10:58:00.005+01:00

From 22nd to 28th April, INFOMAR staff were amongst a crew of scientists that were busy collecting a large number of ground truthing samples from the seabed in Bantry and Dunmanus Bays in Cork on the Celtic Voyager as part of research by Dublin City University (DCU) on pockmark features in the bays. Also included were scientists from University of Limerick (UL) and Aquafact Environmental Survey Specialists. Before the transit to west Cork, mobilisation, testing and training was done in Cork Harbour.

Day Grab recovery from Cork Harbour of coarse grained sediment and large shells.

The 290 metre long Grand Princess cruise liner in Cobh.

Gravity cores, box cores and day grabs were recovered from the seabed with video footage from selected sites. In all over 5 days of 24 hour operations, 132 sampling stations and 12 gravity core stations were covered. The physical, chemical and biological content of these samples will be analysed to gain an insight into the nature of the seabed in the bays and also close to the pockmarks features. The leg ended in demobilisation in Castletown Bere and was deemed very successful for all parties.

Plan view of day grab recovery. Note the muddy nature of the seabed and the brittle starfish recovered in the grab.

Elevation view of box core recovery. Note the change in colour of the sediment from green/brown to grey around 5 cm from the surface. Sediments recovered were generally composed of mud and clay.

Recovery of the gravity corer with 2 metre barrel from the A-frame of the Celtic Voyager. Average recovery from the corer was around 1.20 metres of mud and clay.

View of the west Cork coastline on the Sheep's Head peninsula from inner Dunmanus Bay.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.