Seafloor Exploration and Surveying 2

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Apply a range of key skills at Masters level.
• Understand the techniques for the acquisition, processing and interpretation of seabed and sub-seabed high resolution marine geophysical data sets.
• Understand the basic theoretical concepts behind high resolution marine geophysics.
• Working in groups.
• Successfully integrate a diverse set of geological and geophysical data sets for the solution of a range of geological problems.
• Poster presentation skills.
• Written presentation of both scientific and commercial material.

The course is divided in to three one week assignments. There is only one formal lecture (in the week prior to the module starting in order to outline the module content and structure and identify boat groups so we are able to start surveying with one half of the group on the first day. The following three week are as follows:

1. Assignment 1: Undertake a seabed stability review of a section of a new cable route being proposed for installation in the middle of the East Solent. This entails the acquisition and processing of swath and sub-bottom profiling data from the RV Callista. Interpretation of sub-bottom data to provide sub-surface structural information. Quantitative comparison with extant datasets in order to assess temporal and spatial variability of seabed. Consider implications for both installation and post-installation performance

2. Assignment 2: Produce a substrate map for an area of seabed at the entrance to the Bosphorous Straits. This requires processing of a 2013 Edgetech 4200 MP 100 and 400 kHz side scan sonar data set including production of a full mosaic. Integration with additional co-acquired swath and backscatter datasets, and ground truth data.

3. Assignment 3: Create a ground model of a sandbank in the Outer Thames Estuary. Requires integration of boomer and swath data in Petrel. Addition of ground truth data for calibration of seismics. Complete seismic and where appropriate litho-facies interpretation. Place in context with extant literature on bank formation.

Teaching and learning methods

This will be an intensive "short" course of three-weeks duration.

Formal Lectures: There is only one formal lecture to introduce the course the remaining three weeks consist of lecturer led practicals to accomplish the three assignments.

Boat practical (one day): This will involve the acquisition of multi-beam swath bathymetry and high resolution sub-bottom profiling data.

Computer practicals: 12 computer practicals for the processing of sea-bed and sub sea-bed geophysical datasets.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal