Seafloor Overview Teams Projects Publications Latest News Technologies Data The landscape of the deep sea is ever-changing. Canyons have sediment tumbling down their steep walls, volcanoes erupt with flowing lava, and hot hydrothermal vents spew scalding water rich in minerals. Gases rise to the surface in bubbles or freeze like ice crystals under extremely low temperatures and high pressure. Tectonic plates move against each other, causing underwater earthquakes.One of MBARI’s fundamental missions is to use and create sophisticated technology to study the deep ocean. Scientists and engineers work together to develop and build cutting-edge technologies that give us unprecedented access to the deep seafloor. Our researchers use various technologies—from remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles to equipment deployed on the bottom for long-term monitoring—to study the seafloor’s biological, chemical, and geological processes.These teams and projects are revolutionizing how we observe the ocean floor to understand this habitat and the life that thrives there. Read More Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Teams All Teams Seafloor Processes Team Seafloor Processes Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Team Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory The Control, Modeling, Perception for Autonomous Systems (CoMPAS) Laboratory aims to develop and transfer technology for making ocean exploration more accessible and widespread, and to help answer several questions that remain open about our planet. Benthic Biology and Ecology Team Benthic Biology and Ecology The Benthic Biology Team studies the diversity of life on the seafloor, from exploring deep-sea habitats to measuring the effect of ocean change on the lives of marine animals. Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate. Continental Margin Processes Team Continental Margin Processes This team investigates the movement of sediment across continental margins and how it shapes the existing submarine morphology. Seafloor Mapping Lab Team Seafloor Mapping Lab The Seafloor Mapping Team collects multi-scale seafloor bathymetry and imaging data with precision navigation to produce efficient, high-resolution, and repeatable characterizations of deep-sea sites. Projects All Projects The Zanclean Megaflood: The Largest Flood in the History of Earth? Team The Zanclean Megaflood: The Largest Flood in the History of Earth? Submarine Volcanism in the Sicilian Channel Team Submarine Volcanism in the Sicilian Channel Terrain Relative Navigation Team Terrain Relative Navigation Improving vehicle navigation in real-time by localizing relative to an existing map. Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Team Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Mapping the hydrothermal sites, lava flows, and geodetics of this active volcano. Low Altitude Survey System Team Low Altitude Survey System Bringing mapping systems closer to the seafloor to achieve precision-controlled centimeter-scale bathymetry and millimeter-scale imagery. Blue Whale Observatory Team Blue Whale Observatory Exploring the behavioral ecology of Earth’s largest animal species—the blue whale—and the krill that sustain them. Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Team Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Studies of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems at Sur Ridge and Davidson Seamount focus on oceanographic and biological factors influencing their diversity and abundance. Octopus Garden Team Octopus Garden MBARI research and technology have revealed that thermal springs at the base of Davidson Seamount are an important nursery for the deep-sea pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus). Understanding the Effects of a Changing Ocean Team Understanding the Effects of a Changing Ocean Focusing on how marine animals will respond to shifting ocean conditions caused by climate change and other human activities. Lost Shipping Container Studies Team Lost Shipping Container Studies An estimated 10,000 shipping containers fall from ships each year, ultimately sinking to the seafloor where their ecological effects are largely unknown. Arctic Shelf Edge Team Arctic Shelf Edge Investigating rapid changes in the seafloor morphology that have been discovered to occur under the Arctic Ocean. Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Team Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) The Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) is an extensive long-term effort to monitor turbidity currents in situ and at multiple locations simultaneously. Here you can find all the data and relevant metadata collected throughout this groundbreaking study. Morro Bay Wind Farm Pockmarks Team Morro Bay Wind Farm Pockmarks Understanding the origins and activity of the pockmarks and submarine channels offshore of Morro Bay is paramount to developing a proposed floating wind farm. Cascadia Subduction Zone Team Cascadia Subduction Zone Deciphering the geologic records left by earthquake stimulated turbidity currents along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Publications All Publications Amblas, D., A. Micallef, S. Ceramicola, T.P. Gerber, M. Canals, D. Casalbore, F.L. Chiocci, R. Duran, P.T. Harris, V.A. Huvenne, S.Y. Lai, G. Lastras, C. Lo Iacono, F.L. Matos, J.J. Mountjoy, C.K. Paull, P. Puig, and A. Sanchez-Vidal. 2022. Submarine Canyons. Treatise on Geomorphology (Second Edition), 8: 830–846. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818234-5.00146-2 Micallef, A., C.K. Paull, N. Saadatkhah, and O. Bialik. 2021. The role of fluid seepage in the erosion of Mesozoic carbonate escarpments. JGR Earth Surface, 126: 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JF006387 Clague, D.A., J.F. Martin, J.B. Paduan, D.A. Butterfield, J.W. Jamieson, M. Le Saout, D.W. Caress, H. Thomas, J.F. Holden, and D.S. Kelley. 2020. Hydrothermal chimney distribution on the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 21: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC008917 Maier, K. L., C.K. Paull, D.W. Caress, K. Anderson, N.M. Nieminski, E. Lundsten, B.E. Erwin, R. Gwiazda, and A. Fildani. 2020. Submarine-fan development revealed by integrated high-resolution datasets from La Jolla fan, offshore California, USA. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 90: 468–479. https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2020.22 Clague, D.A., J.B. Paduan, D.W. Caress, J. McClain, and R.A. Zierenberg. 2020. Lava flows erupted in 1996 on North Gorda Ridge Segment and the geology of the nearby Sea Cliff Hydrothermal Vent Field From 1-M resolution AUV mapping. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7: 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00027 Latest News All News News New MBARI research reveals the dynamic processes that sculpt the Arctic seafloor Press Release 10.01.24 News New research reveals that prehistoric seafloor pockmarks off the California coast are maintained by powerful sediment flows Press Release 05.21.24 News Scientists solve mystery of why thousands of octopus migrate to deep-sea thermal springs Press Release 08.23.23 Technologies All Technologies Software MB-System Technology MB-System Open source software for processing and display of multibeam and sidescan sonar data. Software MATLAB Scripts Technology MATLAB Scripts MATLAB scripts for oceanographic calculations Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class Seafloor Mapping AUV Technology Seafloor Mapping AUV The Dorado class autonomous underwater vehicles are optimized for meter-scale seafloor mapping. Data All Data Data Monterey Bay Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Repeat Mapping Bathymetry Data from repeat, high-resolution, multibeam, bathymetric surveys of the Monterey Canyon floor with MBARI’s mapping AUVs Data Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Data Report The CCE was an extensive long-term effort to monitor the passage of sediment gravity flows at multiple locations simultaneously Data Seafloor Mapping Database The Seafloor Mapping Database (SMDB) provides access to MBARI's entire mapping data archive
Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Team Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory The Control, Modeling, Perception for Autonomous Systems (CoMPAS) Laboratory aims to develop and transfer technology for making ocean exploration more accessible and widespread, and to help answer several questions that remain open about our planet.
Benthic Biology and Ecology Team Benthic Biology and Ecology The Benthic Biology Team studies the diversity of life on the seafloor, from exploring deep-sea habitats to measuring the effect of ocean change on the lives of marine animals.
Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate.
Continental Margin Processes Team Continental Margin Processes This team investigates the movement of sediment across continental margins and how it shapes the existing submarine morphology.
Seafloor Mapping Lab Team Seafloor Mapping Lab The Seafloor Mapping Team collects multi-scale seafloor bathymetry and imaging data with precision navigation to produce efficient, high-resolution, and repeatable characterizations of deep-sea sites.
The Zanclean Megaflood: The Largest Flood in the History of Earth? Team The Zanclean Megaflood: The Largest Flood in the History of Earth?
Terrain Relative Navigation Team Terrain Relative Navigation Improving vehicle navigation in real-time by localizing relative to an existing map.
Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Team Axial Seamount Volcanic Processes Mapping the hydrothermal sites, lava flows, and geodetics of this active volcano.
Low Altitude Survey System Team Low Altitude Survey System Bringing mapping systems closer to the seafloor to achieve precision-controlled centimeter-scale bathymetry and millimeter-scale imagery.
Blue Whale Observatory Team Blue Whale Observatory Exploring the behavioral ecology of Earth’s largest animal species—the blue whale—and the krill that sustain them.
Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Team Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Studies of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems at Sur Ridge and Davidson Seamount focus on oceanographic and biological factors influencing their diversity and abundance.
Octopus Garden Team Octopus Garden MBARI research and technology have revealed that thermal springs at the base of Davidson Seamount are an important nursery for the deep-sea pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus).
Understanding the Effects of a Changing Ocean Team Understanding the Effects of a Changing Ocean Focusing on how marine animals will respond to shifting ocean conditions caused by climate change and other human activities.
Lost Shipping Container Studies Team Lost Shipping Container Studies An estimated 10,000 shipping containers fall from ships each year, ultimately sinking to the seafloor where their ecological effects are largely unknown.
Arctic Shelf Edge Team Arctic Shelf Edge Investigating rapid changes in the seafloor morphology that have been discovered to occur under the Arctic Ocean.
Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Team Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) The Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) is an extensive long-term effort to monitor turbidity currents in situ and at multiple locations simultaneously. Here you can find all the data and relevant metadata collected throughout this groundbreaking study.
Morro Bay Wind Farm Pockmarks Team Morro Bay Wind Farm Pockmarks Understanding the origins and activity of the pockmarks and submarine channels offshore of Morro Bay is paramount to developing a proposed floating wind farm.
Cascadia Subduction Zone Team Cascadia Subduction Zone Deciphering the geologic records left by earthquake stimulated turbidity currents along the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Amblas, D., A. Micallef, S. Ceramicola, T.P. Gerber, M. Canals, D. Casalbore, F.L. Chiocci, R. Duran, P.T. Harris, V.A. Huvenne, S.Y. Lai, G. Lastras, C. Lo Iacono, F.L. Matos, J.J. Mountjoy, C.K. Paull, P. Puig, and A. Sanchez-Vidal. 2022. Submarine Canyons. Treatise on Geomorphology (Second Edition), 8: 830–846. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818234-5.00146-2
Micallef, A., C.K. Paull, N. Saadatkhah, and O. Bialik. 2021. The role of fluid seepage in the erosion of Mesozoic carbonate escarpments. JGR Earth Surface, 126: 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JF006387
Clague, D.A., J.F. Martin, J.B. Paduan, D.A. Butterfield, J.W. Jamieson, M. Le Saout, D.W. Caress, H. Thomas, J.F. Holden, and D.S. Kelley. 2020. Hydrothermal chimney distribution on the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 21: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC008917
Maier, K. L., C.K. Paull, D.W. Caress, K. Anderson, N.M. Nieminski, E. Lundsten, B.E. Erwin, R. Gwiazda, and A. Fildani. 2020. Submarine-fan development revealed by integrated high-resolution datasets from La Jolla fan, offshore California, USA. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 90: 468–479. https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2020.22
Clague, D.A., J.B. Paduan, D.W. Caress, J. McClain, and R.A. Zierenberg. 2020. Lava flows erupted in 1996 on North Gorda Ridge Segment and the geology of the nearby Sea Cliff Hydrothermal Vent Field From 1-M resolution AUV mapping. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7: 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00027
News New MBARI research reveals the dynamic processes that sculpt the Arctic seafloor Press Release 10.01.24
News New research reveals that prehistoric seafloor pockmarks off the California coast are maintained by powerful sediment flows Press Release 05.21.24
News Scientists solve mystery of why thousands of octopus migrate to deep-sea thermal springs Press Release 08.23.23
Software MB-System Technology MB-System Open source software for processing and display of multibeam and sidescan sonar data.
Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class Seafloor Mapping AUV Technology Seafloor Mapping AUV The Dorado class autonomous underwater vehicles are optimized for meter-scale seafloor mapping.
Data Monterey Bay Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Repeat Mapping Bathymetry Data from repeat, high-resolution, multibeam, bathymetric surveys of the Monterey Canyon floor with MBARI’s mapping AUVs
Data Coordinated Canyon Experiment (CCE) Data Report The CCE was an extensive long-term effort to monitor the passage of sediment gravity flows at multiple locations simultaneously
Data Seafloor Mapping Database The Seafloor Mapping Database (SMDB) provides access to MBARI's entire mapping data archive