| From March 10 - 28, 2021 (Key West, FL to San Juan, Puerto Rico), NOAA Ocean Exploration
conducted mapping operations south of Puerto Rico in U.S. waters, aiding in closing
bathymetric gaps within this region. EX-22-02 collected 18,850 square kilometers of
bathymetry and associated water column data, 18,033 square kilometers of which were
within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and Territorial Sea deeper than 200 m. 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. A single CTD cast during
the expedition validated deep deployment capabilities in preparation for planned CTD
operations on EX-22-03. The exploratory mapping operations conducted during this cruise
will provide initial characterization of the region, as well as data to support further
exploration. |