News

Cruise diary: An ordinary day at RV G.O.Sars begins, where biologists and geologists collect data for scientific mapping of the marine bottom habitats for the MAREANO program. During our inspection of the seabed with our towed video camera we notice some large bivalves, half-buried in the sediment between the cobbles and boulders.

Cruise diary: This MAREANO cruise marks the first time for most of us – if not all, where we can work in T-shirts and shorts, and even sunbathe on deck during breaks. In this summer survey, MAREANO scientists will continue obtaining video lines and physical samples in the study area of Sørvest F. This cruise is a continuation of the 2024 winter cruise during which the sea was at times rough and unfavourable for the ROV, preventing us in obtaining many of our video lines.

Cruise diary: On the way to the potential offshore wind area Sørvest F, as part of MAREANO’s mapping programme, the research vessel G.O. Sars had a first stop at a site where previous investigations had indicated gas seepage from the seabed. Video footage confirmed the gas seepage and revealed spectacular bacterial micro-ridges.

For the first time in its history, MAREANO will use an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to survey a larger area – 675 km² of the North Sea in total. In August, Fugro will deploy its largest USV on a survey expedition for the MAREANO programme.

An invitation to tender for seabed mapping with Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) in the North Sea this year, is published by MAREANO.

MAREANO will announce an invitation to tender for seabed mapping with Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) in the North Sea, January 2025.

Cruise diary: During the November cruise with «G.O. Sars» we have seen a lot of sandy mud with some occasional patches of fine gravel on the seafloor. Although soft bottom sediments are not always the most exciting for geologists; they may provide important clues about biological traces and activity in the sediments.

MAREANO is in the planning phase for a survey with Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) next year. Therefore, we kindly ask the industry for specific feedback on USV as a survey platform – already by December 16.

Cruise diary: This April saw MAREANO return to Kvitøyrenna to pick up the missing pieces of our previous sampling campaigns, a first step towards delivering a completed puzzle.

Cruise diary: What’s a typical day onboard like for the geology team on a MAREANO cruise? Alongside the biologists we watch video footage of the seafloor streamed live from the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and log changes in the seabed substrate, from mud to boulders and bedrock.

This summer the MAREANO programme will conduct bathymetric mapping in the North Sea and the Norwegian Trench, including the possible offshore wind areas “Vestavind F” and “Sørvest F”.

Terrain models from the offshore wind area Sørlig Nordsjø 2, both map services and datasets, are published in the Norwegian Mapping Authority's services.

After more than 80 years on the seabed, what is probably the wreckage of the British submarine HMS Thistle has been discovered outside Rogaland, Norway.

Possibly the world's tallest gas column is flowing from Norway's deepest point. From an ocean depth of 3,900 meters in the Molloydypet west of Svalbard, the gas rises a full 3.3 kilometers upwards in the water.

Cruise diary: We are now at our study area in the deepest part of the Skagerrak to investigate some unusual features on the seabed. After World War II and as late as the 1960s, it was common practice to sink munitions, which were beyond the use-by date, in deep lakes or the sea. 

Cruise diary: The MAREANO summer cruise has started full speed with full stations already done in 2 of the 3 planned areas.

Expedition diary: On this easter MAREANO survey, a lot of our time has been spent on sandy plains occasionally encountering sea stars and flat fish. But sometimes we come across a different landscape that makes us all sit up and say “wow”!

Expedition diary: Learn about the mysterious Yellow Anemone.

The MAREANO programme will conduct bathymetric mapping in Norskerenna in the North Sea this year. The assigned contractor is Fugro Germany Marine GmbH.

The MAREANO programme plans to conduct bathymetric mapping in Norskerenna in the North Sea. An invitation to tender for bathymetric mapping in 2023 is published. 

Before surveying the area, scientists expected to find large areas of untouched seabed – and the odd trawl mark left by fishing boats. What they actually found was nothing like that.

The activities of the MAREANO mapping programme were recently presented at a conference in the Brazilian city of Salvador. As part of developing a new, modern programme for marine spatial management, experts in Brazil want to learn from international actors.

Expedition diary: After a few days of extensive exploration of the muddy, sandy plains at our sampling area outside of Utsira, we arrived at a station with exposed rock.

Expedition diary: We have been out here for a few days now and it is clear: we are deep in seapen country!

Expedition diary: As we arrive in the north with RV Kronprins Haakon, we are greeted by a brand new white world of icebergs and sea ice. At a first glance this polar desert appears void of life, however, when we take a closer look we find the opposite to be true. We are surrounded by living creatures – both above and below the sea.

Expedition diary: And now for something completely different. Standard MAREANO sampling cruises collect biology, geology and chemistry data using video and physical sampling. This cruise is dedicated to exploring new methods, specifically, what MAREANO could gain from the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

In May, the Clinton Marine Survey AB began the bathymetric mapping in parts of the North Sea for the MAREANO programme. Until the beginning of August they will survey 2730 km².

The MAREANO programme plans to conduct bathymetric mapping in the North Sea this year. An invitation to tender for bathymetric mapping is published.