Geophysical Studies

GEOPHYSICAL STUDIES (2002)

In cooperation with Dr. Will Schroeder (University of Alabama – Dauphin Island Sea Lab) and Dr. Roger Sassen (Texas A&M University, Geochemical Environmental Research Group), ProMare utilized the US Navy Nuclear Research Submarine, NR1, to explore sites of potential chemosythetic organism colonization and methane hydrate deposition for a period nearly one month during the summer of 2002.

Sites surveyed include petroleum lease-blocks VK826, VK862, VK907, MC029 and MC118 in water depths ranging from 400 to 700 meters. Significant colonies of deepwater, chemosynthetic corals, as well as relict carbonate lithotherms and methane hydrate deposits were located and studied.