Underwater landslides and deep water corals have been discovered during an oceanographic expedition exploring submarine canyons in the central Mediterranean Sea.
Submarine canyons are large valleys located on the seafloor and the CUMECS expedition has recently completed a survey of a number of submarine canyons to the east of the Maltese Islands.
Using state-of-the-art technology on board the Italian research vessel Urania, scientists have discovered numerous submarine landslides, some of which are as large as 5,000 football pitches. Since submarine landslides are a known geo-hazard, the scientists have collected seafloor samples to understand how and when they occurred.
Various examples of deep sea marine life, such as black coral communities, sharks and squids, were encountered during the surveys carried out using an underwater robot. The robot also allowed the scientists to observe evidence of human disturbance in such deep environments in the form of lost fishing gear and trawl marks.
Both submarine canyons and deep water coral communities have become a conservation priority for the European Union.
The CUMECS expedition, which was funded by the Eurofleets project, included 13 geoscientists and graduate students from eight academic institutions in Europe and New Zealand and surveyed unexplored canyons located 80km to the east of Malta. The team, which is led by Dr Aaron Micallef from the University of Malta, hopes to understand how these submarine canyons have formed, if they are still active and what organisms they host.
The team compiled a detailed map of the seabed, obtained video imagery through the use of a remotely-operated vehicle, and collected samples from a depth of more than 1,000 metres.
A documentary is to be produced from the expedition in order to increase awareness among students and members of the public about the diversity, beauty and importance of investigating and protecting deep sea environments.
A video of the CUMECS expedition is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovw2EPt3Xgc and a diary of the expedition can be viewed at www.cumecs2012.blogspot.com and facebook.com/cumecs2012