Survey method and sea trials for construction of cable-based observation system on seafloor with hydrothermal activity

Abstract

Cable-based observation system is suitable tool for continuous ocean monitoring. Because cables can supply the power and realize high capacity data communication, such cable-based ocean observation systems have been widely used. However, general cable-based observation systems are deployed on flat and normal temperature seabed to prevent physical and heat damages to the cables. Therefore, there are no information on construction method of cable-based observation system for seafloor hydrothermal activities. How to design such types of the cable system, what types of parameters should be surveyed beforehand, are not established. In this paper, the authors propose the designing method for cable-based observation system constructing on seafloor of active hydrothermal vent field. The in situ application of techniques consisted of the method were examined on hydrothermal environment through the research cruises by using remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The practicality of GIS based data management system constructed for long-term survey of seafloor condition and secure of observation system, were investigate by using data collected in the cruises. The possibility of the cable-based observation system is discussed in this paper.