Caption for left image: Instrument used for data collection.
Caption for right image: Data collection process.
A dedicated team of researchers, including and from the , have just completed a mission to survey the depths of Marsaxlokk Bay and the Delimara region. Armed with cutting-edge technology, high-resolution data of the seafloor depths were retried over a span of 1.2 square kilometres with an astonishing resolution of 0.5 meters. This was made possible through the support of R3VOX, a Maltese branch of the US-based industry leader R2Sonic that are known for manufacturing multibeam systems.
The science of bathymetry involves measuring how deep the seafloor is. This holds the key to unlocking a wealth of knowledge about the geological composition of the underwater region. In this case, the data is critical for cross-validating data products that are being derived from satellite observation. Together with , the head of the research team, Machine Learning techniques are being developed to derive accurate ocean data products from sensors onboard the SENTINEL 2 and SENTINEL 3 satellites that form part of the Copernicus constellation.
This work is part of the BathMalta project that is funded by the MCST (Malta Council of Science and Technology) through the Space Research fund call 2022 and is supported by the ESA (European Space Agency). In addition to enhancing our understanding of seafloor topography, in Phase 2, this research will also investigate the use of remotely sensed data to detect variations in the salinity of the water column. The goal is to keep pushing the boundaries of knowledge, advancing our understanding of the Earth's hidden mysteries, beneath the waves.
