[S-CG61] Ocean Floor Geoscience

[SCG61-P17] Plume observation in hydrothermal fields using multi-beam sonar

*Chiharu Aoyama¹, Mantaro Kondo¹, Ryosuke Nakamura¹, Kanami Noda¹, HIDENORI KUMAGAI² (1.Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 2.Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

Keywords:MultibeamSONAR, Plume, Volume Back scattering Strength

Multi-beam sonar (EM122) onboard “YOKOSUKA” and “KAIMEI” is capable of measuring precise submarine topography and obtaining water column data. It can be used to measure plumes discharged underwater, and to analyze the data. This function is used to measure seeping plumes in hydrothermal sea area. The author examined the acoustic data (Volume Backscattering Strength=SV) analysis to figure out if it is possible to distinguish the components of the plumes.