Acoustic Images of Submarine landslide in western Sagami Bay obtained by deep sea AUV “URASHIMA” in Sagami bay

Abstract

To collect bathymetric data and bottom material information, multi narrow beam echo sounder and/or side scan sonar are usually used over wide area. The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) has the advantage of getting closer to the sea surface as compared with a survey from the vessel. URASHIMA is a 3000 m class AUV, is loaded with multi narrow beam depth sounder, side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler. Using URASHIMA, side scan sonar images and sub-bottom profiles were collected around off Hatsushima Island where mud flow was generated with some large earthquakes occurrence. We could obtain many enough quality side scan sonar images and sub-bottom profiles. Mosaic image was constructed by obtained side scan sonar images, and shows distinctive surface structure. Some irregular patches are detected around the mudflow area 7km off Hatsushima Island. This structure do not relate to the bathymetry obtained by SeaBat8160 on R/V Natsushima. Therefore, these are interpreted as debris generated with earthquakes. Sub-bottom profiles could detect very clear sedimentary structure.