Illuminating the Hidden Planet: The Future of Seafloor Observatory Science (2000)

Summary: Shipboard expeditionary science has led to remarkable advances in oceanography. To further advance oceanographic science, long time-series measurements of critical ocean parameters are needed. Seafloor observatories would offer Earth and ocean scientists unique new opportunities to study multiple, interrelated processes over time scales ranging from seconds to decades; to conduct comparative studies of regional processes and spatial characteristics; and to map whole-earth and basin-scale structures using time-series measurements. This report investigates the scientific merit, technical requirements, and overall feasibility of establishing the infrastructure needed for a network of unmanned seafloor observatories. In addition, the committee was asked to assess the extent to which seafloor observatories will address future requirements for conducting multidisciplinary research in the oceans, and gauge the level of support for observatory science within the ocean sciences, and the broader scientific community.