COVIS was successfully deployed on 29 September 2010 and connected to the NEPTUNE Canada regional cabled ocean observatory to image hydrothermal vent complexes. The sonar system was set down at about 2200 m depth by the ROV ROPOS, operated from the R/V Thompson, in the Main Endeavor Field, where it will have good sonar views of the Grotto and North Tower complexes of black smokers venting from mineralized chimneys. COVIS is operating in coordination with many other instruments at the vents (measuring temperature, chemistry, and biology) emplaced by other investigators. The NEPTUNE Canada cabled observatory system provides power and bandwidth that will enable the sonar images to stream for months to years in the future. Researchers will be able to measure the geometry and discharge rates of buoyant hydrothermal plumes and detect the linkages between the flow and forcing processes including tidal cycles, earthquakes on the Juan de Fuca plate, and volcanic activity. SCIENCE: Using acoustic instrumentation to image and quantify hydrothermal flow; ENGINEERING: COVIS development and mode of operation More>> NEPTUNE Canada |
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COVIS on the R/V Robertson ready for in water tests in Puget Sound. 
ROPOS ROV used to install COVIS on the cabled ocean observatory, aboard the R/V Thompson 
COVIS rests on a rocky seafloor during deployment, 28 September 2010. This sophisticated sonar will help scientists study hydrothermal vent dynamics in the Endeavour deep-sea volcanic rift valley. (N47° 56.9621′, W129° 5.8747′; depth: 2196.03 m) |
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Principal Investigators
Researchers
Funding
COVIS
Cabled Observatory Imaging Sonar System
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