To determine the extent of the Extended Continental Shelf in the Arctic Ocean collaboratively with Canada.
Location
Arctic Ocean
Summary
The principal objectives of the 2011 Canadian High Arctic Seismic Expedition were to acquire multichannel seismic reflection, refraction, and bathymetric data along positions that serve to establish sediment thickness, structural and morphologic criteria along Canadian and US western Arctic continental margins. Strategic ship track lines were established to complement existing data to meet UNCLOS Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) sediment thickness, bathymetric and scientific objectives. In addition, the first Autonomous Underwater Vehicle deployment from an icebreaker in the high Arctic was achieved, permitting acquisition of additional bathymetric data in areas of perennial sea ice cover. Ancillary programs included ice observations to groundtruth remotely sensed data, physical oceanographic data were acquired on an opportunistic basis and an Environment Canada O-buoy was deployed. 1437 line-km of high quality multichannel seismic reflection data were acquired in addition to seismic refraction data recorded from 21 sonobuoy deployments. 7848 line-km of single beam bathymetry, subbottom profiler and shipborne gravity data were obtained from the Louis S. St-Laurent over the course of the entire mission, plus 75 helicopter spot soundings. 110 km of bathymetric data were acquired by the AUV and in excess of 4500 line-km of multibeam bathymetric data were acquired from the USCGC Healy.
USGS participation is part of an MOU between the USGS and GSC; Data release is covered by the agreement between USGS and GSC.
Project = Law of the Sea,
