• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.173-182
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• 2007

It is well known that manganese nodules enriched with valuable metals are abundantly distributed in the abyssal plain area in the Clarion-Clipperton (C-C) fracture zone of the northeast Pacific. Previous studies using deep-sea camera (DSC) system reported different observations about the relation of seafloor topographic change and nodule abundance, and they were sometimes contradictory. Moreover, proper foundation on the estimation of DSC underwater position, was not introduced clearly. The variability of the mining condition of manganese nodule according to seafloor topography was examined in the Korea Deep Ocean Study (KODOS) area, located in the C-C zone. In this paper, it is suggested that the utilization of deep towing system such as DSC is very useful approach to whom are interested in analysing the distributional characteristics of manganese nodule filed and in selecting promising minable area. To this purpose, nodule abundance and detailed bathymetry were acquired using deep-sea camera system and multi-beam echo sounder, respectively on the seamount free abyssal hill area of southern part ($132^{\circ}10'W$, $9^{\circ}45'N$) in KODOS regime. Some reasonable assumptions were introduced to enhance the accuracy of estimated DSC sampling position. The accuracy in the result of estimated underwater position was verified indirectly through the comparison of measured abundances on the crossing point of neighboring DSC tracks. From the recorded seafloor images, not only nodules and sediments but cracks and cliffs could be also found frequently. The positions of these probable unminable area were calculated by use of the recorded time being encountered with them from the seafloor images of DSC. The results suggest that the unminable areas are mostly distributed on the slope sides and hill tops, where nodule collector can not travel over.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.382-390
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• 2021

Synthetic aperture sonars as well as side scan sonars or multibeam echo sounders have been commercialized and are widely used for seafloor imaging. In Korea related research such as the development of a towed synthetic aperture sonar system is underway. In order to obtain high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar images, it is necessary to accurately estimate the platform motion on which it is installed, and a precise underwater navigation system is required. In this paper we are going to provide reference data for determining the required navigation accuracy and precision of navigation sensors by quantitatively analyzing how much distortion of the sonar images occurs according to motion characteristics of the platform equipped with the synthetic aperture sonar. Five types of motions are considered and normalized root mean square error is defined for quantitative analysis. Simulation for error analysis with parameter variation of motion characteristics results in that yaw and sway motion causes the largest image distortion whereas the effect of pitch and heave motion is not significant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.863-868
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• 2016

In this study, the precise shapes of sunken ships and information on seafloor topography were analyzed using data obtained from a multi-beam echo sounder. The state of each sunken ship was analyzed by processing diverse imagery data which was compared with data obtained from past investigations to determine changes in the state and circumjacent seafloor topography. Apparent changes in the seafloor topography around one sunken ship, the "Pacific Friend", were found from stern to bow as a result of continued submarine erosion and sedimentation. In the case of sunken ship "No. 7 Haeseong", the partial collapse of the bow was revealed in the seabed images captured in 2015, though it had still been intact in images captured during the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency's investigation in 2011. This partial collapse was presumed to have resulted from the effects of continued tidal currents, the cargo load of the ship and continued corrosion of the ship over a long time on the seabed. Continuous monitoring of residual fuel inside the ship is necessary to avoid leakage and potential marine pollution. By conducting image analysis on these sunken ships, it has been determined that the structural safety of the ships is seriously influenced by tidal currents and seafloor topography, while the hulls will be continuously changed by corrosion. As a result, it can be concluded that the development of prediction and response techniques that take into consideration residual fuel leakage and environmental changes according to the geological characteristics of sunken ships is necessary.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.203-213
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• 2022

To understand an underlying geological structure via seismic imaging, the velocity information of the subsurface medium is crucial. Although the full-waveform inversion (FWI) method is considered useful for estimating subsurface velocity models, 3D FWI needs a lot-of computing power and time. Herein, we compare the calculation efficiency and accuracy of frequency-domain 2D and 3D acoustic FWIs. Thereafter, we demonstrate that the artifacts from 2D approximation can be partially suppressed via frequency-domain 2D FWI by employing diffraction angle filtering (DAF). By applying DAF, which employs only big reflection angle components, the impact of noise and out-of-plane reflections can be reduced. Additionally, it is anticipated that the DAF can create long-wavelength velocity structures for 3D FWI and migration.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2016

In order to obtain high-resolution seafloor images, research on SA (Synthetic Aperture) processing and the development of related underwater systems have been performed in many countries. Recently the SA processing is also recognized as an important technique in Korea and researchers started related basic study. However, most previous studies ignored the Doppler effect by a moving receiver array. In this paper reconstructed SAS (Synthetic Aperture Sonar) images and position errors are analyzed according to the speed of a moving array for understanding its moving effect on the SAS images. In the analysis the spatial frequency domain interpolation algorithm is used. The results show that as the moving speed of the array increases the estimated position error also increases and image distortion gets worse when we do not consider the array motion. However, if the compensated receiver signals considering the array motion are used the position error and image distortion can be eliminated. In conclusion a signal processing scheme which compensates the Doppler effect is necessary especially in the condition where the array speed is over 1 m/s.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.104-111
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• 2005

Dmitri Donskoi, the Russian cruiser launched in 1883, is known to have sunk near Ulleung Island (East Sea, Korea) on May 29, 1905, while it was participating in the Russo-Japanese War. In order to find this ship, information about its possible location was obtained from Russian and Japanese maritime historical records. The supposed location of the ship was identified, and we conducted a five-year geophysical survey from 1999 to 2003. A reconnaissance three-dimensional topographic survey of the sea floor was carried out using multi-beam echo sounder, marine magnetometer, and side-scan sonar. An anomalous body identified through the initial reconnaissance survey was identified by a detailed survey using a remotely operated vehicle, deep-sea camera, and the mini-submarine Pathfinder. Interpretation of the acquired data showed that the ship is hanging on the side of a channel, at the bottom of the sea 400 m below sea level. The location is about 2 km from Port Jeodong, Uleung Island. We discovered 152 mm naval guns and other war materiel still attached to the hull of the ship. In addition, the remnants of the steering gear and other machinery that were burnt during the final action were found near the hull. Strong magnetic fields, resulting from the presence of volcanic rocks in the survey area, affected the resolution of the magnetic data gathered; as a result, we could not locate the ship reliably using the magnetic method. Severe sea floor topography in the gully around the hull gave rise to diffuse reflections in the side-scan sonar data, and this prevented us from identifying the anomalous body with the side-scan sonar technique. However, the sea-floor image obtained from the multi-bean echo sounder was very useful in verifying the location of the ship.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.84-103
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• 2004

Cruiser Dmitri Donskoi was constructed in 1895. During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), she was damaged in an attack by Japanese destroyers at the battle of Tsushima, and scuttled in the east sea of Ulleungdo, Korea Peninsula on the 29th May 1905. In 2003, Dmitri Donskoi was found at the distance of 2 km off the east coast of Ulleung Island and at the depth of 400 m. Archival research was performed as the preliminary study for investigating the sunken ship.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2005

This paper describes the mean grain size and shear strength properties related to subsidence characteristics using sediment samples and acoustic images obtained from artificial reef areas in Tongyoung and Jangsungpo offshore. The acoustic images collected from chirp sonar and side scan sonar show well the attitude/orientation, the distribution pattern, and the degree of subsidence of artificial reefs, suggesting the possibility of suitable site investigation and the management of the reefs using acoustic sonar. The sediments were largely composed of clayey silt and silty clay. The mean grain sizes in Tongyoung and Jangsungpo offshore show the ranges of 5${\sim}$9${\Phi}$ and 8${\sim}$9${\Phi}$, respectively. The shear strength was significantly increased at the depths of 20cm in Tongyoung offshore and 80cm in Jangsungpo offshore, corresponding to the subsidence depth of artificial reefs. The relationship between mean grain size and shear strength did not show a correlation, suggesting the shear strength does not totally depend on mean grain size. Provided subsidence characteristics with respect to various artificial reefs and seabed condition are investigated in more details, the constructing area of the reef can be more extended.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2011

A multi-channel seismic reflection (MCS) survey was conducted in 2009 to explore the deep crustal structure of the Pacific Plate south of Hokkaido. The survey line happened to traverse a 250-km-wide Warm Core Ring (WCR), a current eddy that had been generated by the Kuroshio Extension. We attempted to use these MCS data to delineate the WCR fine structure. The survey line consists of two profiles: one with a shot interval of 200m and the other with a shot interval of 50 m. Records from the denser shot point line show much higher background noise than the records from the sparser shot point line. We identified the origin of this noise as acoustic reverberations between the sea surface, seafloor and subsurface discontinuities, from previous shots. Results showed that a prestack migration technique could enhance the signal buried in this background noise efficiently, if the sound speed information acquired from concurrent temperature measurements is available. The WCR is acoustically an assemblage of concave reflectors dipping inward, with steeper slopes (${\sim}2^{\circ}$) on th ocean side and gentler slopes (${\sim}1^{\circ}$) on the coastal side. Within the WCR, we recognised a 30-km-wide lens-shaped structure with reflectors on the perimeter.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2008

Lau basin of the south Pacific, as an active back arc basin, is promising area bearing seafloor massive hydrothermal deposit that is located in a subduction zone between the Pacific ocean plate and Indo-Australian continental plate. We performed multi-beam bathymetry survey in the Lau basin using EM120, to find out high hydrothermal activity Bone. Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center (FRSC) and Mangatolou Triple Junction (MTJ) area were selected for precise site survey through seafloor morphology investigation. The result of surface and deep-tow magnetometer survey showed that Central Anomaly Magnetization High (CAMH) recorded which is associated with active ridge in FRSC-2 and revealed very low magnetic anomalies that can be connected to past or present high hydrothermal activity in MTJ-1 seamount area. Moreover, the physical and chemical tracers of hydrothermal vent flume, i.e., transmission, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), methane (CH4) by use of CTD system, showed significant anomalies in those areas. From positive vent flume results, we could conclude that these areas were or are experiencing very active volcanic activities. The acquired chimney and hydrothermal altered bed rock samples gave us confidence of the existence of massive hydrothermal deposit. Even though not to use visual exploration equipment such as ROV, DTSSS, etc., traditional marine geophysical investigation approach might be a truly cost-effective tool for exploring seafloor hydrothermal massive deposit.