Carla Stapleton: Comparison of RESON Bathymetry Data With High Resolution Imagery

Shrinking Styrofoam

The goal of this project is to conduct ground truthing on RESON bathymetry collected by Jason, and describe the nature of flow patterns and eruptive processes on the seafloor at ASHES vent field. COVE software will be used to visualize RESON bathymetry and images and event information from Virtual Van will be used to determine lava morphology in selected areas. Hypothetically, RESON bathymetry has enough resolution to detect distinct lava features on the seafloor. The implications of this study are particularly important for the feasibility of laying cable in the ASHES area, as well as possible use of RESON data to detect morphology.