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    • EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During PC1007

    Metadata Updated: September 17, 2021

    Deepwater Horizon SEAMAP data. Unconventional configurations for both the EK60s and the ME70 allowed for three-dimensional images to be created from the split-aperture acoustic data. The ME70 configuration developed required Simrad to provide new software.

    Using the EK60's, we imaged methane seeps in many locations surrounding the wellhead and at the wellhead. Seeps occur naturally in this area, and the challenge is to identify new or more intense seeps. Using both the EK60s and the ME70, we imaged the Deepwater Horizon rig on the seabed, among many riser pipes and other apparatus. When the Subsurface Monitoring Unit expressed concern that the noise level was too high for observations near the wellhead, I identified that the signal could be increased and the noise decreased, improving the signal-to-noise ratio by an order of magnitude, by increasing the pulse durations at 18 and 38 kHz from one to four milliseconds. Enabled by this enhanced configuration, I identified that the wellhead was burping methane hydrate intermittently and the emissions were rising at approximately 10 m per minute. The source of the bubbles and hydrate were observed on the BP-ROV images taken at the wellhead. When BP complained that the horizontal res olution of our detections was too poor due to the 11 degree beamwidth of the 18 kHz transducer, I advocated the use of our new biplanar interferometric technique which increased the resolution one to two orders of magnitude (from ca. 300 m to ca. 10-20 m at 1500 m range) and provided sub-beam imagery (detailed in Cutter and Demer, 2010). Randy implemented his biplanar interferometric software (now BP-interferometry) and is generating very high-resolution 3-D images of the wellhead, seeps, and surrounding area. I generated 3-D maps of the seep locations and acoustically-tracked four large targets in the area, perhaps sperm whales.

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

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    Dates

    Metadata Date September 14, 2021
    Metadata Created Date November 12, 2020
    Metadata Updated Date September 17, 2021
    Reference Date(s) July 15, 2010 (creation), May 10, 2018 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update notPlanned

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from NGDC MGG Sonar Water Column

    Other Data Resources

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Series
    Metadata Date September 14, 2021
    Metadata Created Date November 12, 2020
    Metadata Updated Date September 17, 2021
    Reference Date(s) July 15, 2010 (creation), May 10, 2018 (publication)
    Responsible Party NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.wcd:PC1007_EK60
    Access Constraints Cite as: Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 2010. 'EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During PC1007'. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/djdh-3h80 [access date], Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose., Resource may not be available for up to one year after initial collection.
    Bbox East Long -88.00415
    Bbox North Lat 29.90066
    Bbox South Lat 28.59662
    Bbox West Long -88.49971
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update notPlanned
    Harvest Object Id 770d7294-b2bc-455d-8cf1-82f8595036b3
    Harvest Source Id ab8b0290-e4db-4a00-89f2-4e427c2054b2
    Harvest Source Title NGDC MGG Sonar Water Column
    Licence These data are considered raw and have not been subjected to the NOAA's quality control or quality assurance procedures. They are released for limited public use as preliminary data to be used only with appropriate caution. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty., Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
    Metadata Language eng; USA
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-88.49971, 28.59662], [-88.00415, 28.59662], [-88.00415, 29.90066], [-88.49971, 29.90066], [-88.49971, 28.59662]]]}
    Progress completed
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2010-07-15T03:55:29
    Temporal Extent End 2010-07-21T03:30:06

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