1) Image seafloor. 2) Map top of subsea permafrost in very near shore. 3) Survey for possible methane emissions at distal
inferred end of permafrost offshore. 4) Collect data to help constrain whether seaward limit of permafrost is 'real' or related to a lithologic change.
Location
centered on Harrison Bay, shallow Beaufort Sea, Alaska, United States, North America, Arctic Ocean;
Summary
Transit from Prudhoe Bay West Dock to eastern Harrison Bay; collected seismic data along lines running NE-SW and long tie lines running WNW to
ESE until weather turned bad.
Comments
Permitting:
NEPA CX USGS;
NMFS Letter of Concurrence;
FWS letter for ESA birds obtained;
FWS no ESA needed for fish;
FWS MMPA/ESA polar bear consultation underway;
Tribal council mtg interaction on 19 June 2010;
North Slope Borough permit;
discussion started with private sector operator that may be in study area during the survey on a ~70 m vessel.
Project = Methane Hydrate - Dept. of Energy, Methane Hydrate - Dept. of Energy
