High-resolution bathymetry coupled with 3D models of hydrothermal vents from opportunistically-acquired imagery: Aurora vent field, Arctic Ocean

Active venting at the Aurora hydrothermal field was first located in 2014. In July 2023, the AUV/ROV Nereid Under Ice (NUI) expanded the known size of the Aurora hydrothermal field, discovering 7 ‘black smokers’ together with associated lower-temperature flow. In this study, we present a new high-re...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tea Isler, Michael Jakuba, Tom Kwasnitschka, Autun Purser, Andrew Klesh, Vera Schlindwein, Christopher R. German
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Maps
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17445647.2024.2404878
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Summary:Active venting at the Aurora hydrothermal field was first located in 2014. In July 2023, the AUV/ROV Nereid Under Ice (NUI) expanded the known size of the Aurora hydrothermal field, discovering 7 ‘black smokers’ together with associated lower-temperature flow. In this study, we present a new high-resolution bathymetric map acquired from NUI which has allowed us to identify morphological features previously undetectable from ship multibeam. All known active vents are aligned along a single 230 m-long ridge, parallel to the Gakkel Ridge strike direction and intersected by a scarp following the general trend of the Lena Trough. The new vents were measured at up to 17 m height from 3D models generated using structure-from-motion techniques applied to opportunistically acquired imaging data collected while in exploration mode. The extent of extinct sulfides present, together with the towering height of vents are consistent with a period of sustained high-temperature venting at Aurora.
ISSN:1744-5647