DEEP SEA MINERALS - Vol 1 - Sea-Floor Massive Sulphides

low impact and the same as or similar to those used in conduct- ing marine scientific research, such as: • sidescan sonar; • multibeam bathymetry; • electromagnetics; • three-dimensional plume mapping; and/or • water-chemistry testing.

data, maps are created at a resolution high enough to select possible SMS sites. The resolution is rarely good enough to identify the sulphide structures directly, so a target testing phase is necessary. 4.1.2 Target testing and prospect delineation Following target identification, possible SMS deposits are con- firmed by direct inspection using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and physical sampling of sea-floor rocks. This stage may involve:

Data are collected from ship-mounted sensors and deep- towed systems, which “fly” close to the sea-floor. From these

Photo of the IMI-30 deep-towed sidescan sonar. The IMI-30 is a 30 kHz sonar built and operated by the Hawaii Mapping Re- search Group at the University of Hawaii. It is designed to be towed from 100 to 500 m above the seafloor and obtain high resolution sonar images. It can reach depths up to 6000 m. It is shown being deployed from the R/V Thomas G Thompson in the southern Mariana back-arc basin area in 2012. Photo courtesy of Hawaii Mapping Research Group at the University of Hawaii.

Operation of the British Geological Survey seabed drill from the R/V Sonne. Photo courtesy of S. Petersen, GEOMAR.

The Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE) is a robotic underwater vehicle used for exploring the ocean to depths of 4,500 meters (14,764 feet). Photo courtesy of WHOI.

Operation of the British Geological Survey seabed drill from the R/V Sonne. Photo courtesy of S. Petersen, GEOMAR.

THE GEOLOGY OF SEA-FLOOR MASSIVE SULPHIDES 46

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