EX2204: Voyage to the Ridge 1 (Mapping)

From May 14 - June 7, 2022 (Newport, Rhode Island to St. John's, Newfoundland), NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted mapping operations on the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone, aiding in closing bathymetric gaps within this region. EX-22-04 collected 46,250 square kilometers of bathymetry and associated water column data. During mapping operations, NOAA Ocean Exploration simultaneously collected EM 304 multibeam sonar bathymetry observations and Simrad EK60/EK80 split-beam fisheries sonar observations of biologic material in the water column, as well as Knudsen 3260 sub-bottom profiler observations of sub-seafloor geologic structure and sediment. Additionally, a calibration of the EK60/EK80 transducers was completed. The exploratory mapping operations conducted during this cruise will provide initial characterization of the region, as well as data to support further exploration.