Seafloor features and potential shipping hazards on the approach to Mawson research station, have been precisely mapped for the first time using RSV Nuyina’s acoustic instruments.
The work* will enable updates to navigation charts to improve ship safety, and can be used for a variety of scientific research, including understanding seafloor geology and biology, in oceanography and climate modelling, and managing fisheries and marine resources.
Mapping and Spatial Data Manager, Ursula Harris, from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), said the Nuyina’s advanced acoustic capability will enable updates to the bathymetry (depth of the seafloor) at all the approaches of Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations.
“Nuyina allows us to do modern seafloor surveys that meet new data and safety standards required by the Australian Hydrographic Office,” Ms Harris said.
“We’ll be able to use these data to produce new electronic and hard copy charts that will improve navigational safety and support our stations’ resupply operations each season.”
