HR: 1330h
AN: OS32A-0237    [PDF]
TI: Comparison of Sidescan and Swath Bathymetry and Imagery Merging Various Types of Swath-Mapping Sonar Data Sets Using a Variety of Post-Processing Display Techniques
AU: Becker, N C
EM: nbecker@soest.hawaii.edu
AF: SOEST/University of Hawaii, 1680 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 United States
AU: Sterling, A
EM: akel@soest.hawaii.edu
AF: SOEST/University of Hawaii, 1680 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 United States
AU: * Fryer, P
EM: pfryer@hawaii.edu
AF: SOEST/University of Hawaii, 1680 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 United States
AU: Appelgate, B
EM: tba@hawaii.edu
AF: SOEST/University of Hawaii, 1680 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 United States
AU: Tivey, M
EM: mtivey@whoi.edu
AF: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Mailstop: 24, Woods Hole, MA 02543 United States
AB: Recently collected bathymetry and sidescan data from seamounts on the Mariana forearc show the potential for interpretation of geologic processes using new techniques for post-processing and display of these data. These techniques and algorithms employ freely available software packages in the public domain that are in general use in the academic community. Swath data acquired recently with the R/V {\it Thompson} EM300 and Hydrosweep systems, the R/V {\it Melville} SeaBeam system, the HMR1 sidescan sonar system, and the DSL120 sidescan sonar system show the full spectrum of application of these systems to the various tectonic provinces of a convergent margin of the Western Pacific (Pacific Plate and Mariana forearc). The HMR1 bathymetry and imagery combined with SeaBeam and Hydrosweep bathymetry provides data for the subducting plate and the deepest portions of the trench. A DSL120 survey of the abyssal plain of the Pigafetta Basin, 1800 km NE of Guam, provides the best-quality product from this upgraded sidescan system. The DSL120 and EM300 systems were both used to prepare detailed images of the summit regions of seamounts on the Mariana forearc. The EM300, Hydrosweep, and HMR1 systems provided regional survey data and detail of the deeper forearc areas. The recently upgraded DSL120 system provides both imagery and bathymetry data of the summits of the forearc seamounts. Merging data collected by these different systems, mounted on different platforms, each yielding different types of data at differing resolutions provides multiple renderings that can be used to highlight a variety of aspects of a given geologic feature. Fly-bys and 3-D stereo anaglyph renderings bring the geology into immediate contextual focus. The data manipulation techniques applied are powerful tools for interpretation, but the inexperienced researcher initially faces a steep learning curve. On-line tutorials and manuals that are constantly being updated provide the necessary first steps as well as help for the more experienced user. The techniques we use to merge data sets augment the utility of the various online software packages for processing these data and make them more compelling and accessible for the novice.
DE: 0910 Data processing
DE: 0930 Oceanic structures
DE: 3040 Plate tectonics (8150, 8155, 8157, 8158)
DE: 3045 Seafloor morphology and bottom photography
DE: 3094 Instruments and techniques
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting