Morphological and sedimentary characterization through analysis of multibeam data at deception Island, Antarctic

Abstract

Multibeam sonar systems have transformed the area of underwater geoacoustics and present an important tool for seabed characterization. This work aims to demonstrate the processing and interpretation of multibeam bathymetric data, supported by geological samples collected in the area of Deception Island, South Shetland Islands – Antarctic, for morphological and sedimentary characterization for the seabed. Data were collected during the commission OPERANTAR XXXII, totaling 28 bathymetric lines and 4 geological surface samples using a Box-Corer sampler. By analyzing the maps, digital terrain models and morphological profiles generated for the area, we identified ravines, a depression and a volcanic structure as important characteristics of the morphology of the region. The seabed of Deception Island is predominantly composed of mud with high concentrations of silt grains. This characterization was performed by analyzing the backscattering mosaic and signal intensities for the area, together with the interpretation of geological characteristics of the collected samples.