Case Studies

Detailed descriptions written specially for this Guide.

To submit a Case Study or add to the chronology please use our Contacts page.

Society for Underwater Technology

Polar AUV Guide

1995-6

Thorliefson and D. Hopkins, Defence Research and Development, Canada: Theseus AUV, under ice cable-laying as part of the Spinnaker project. 180km of cable laid to the north of Ellesmere Island, Nunavut.


2001

A. Brierley, British Antarctic Survey,  P. Fernandes Marine Scotland and M. Brandon, Open University: Under Sea-Ice and Pelagic Study (USIPS), Autosub observations of krill distribution, avoidance behaviour and sea ice thickness in the North Western Weddell Sea from the RRS James Clark Ross.


2002

P. Wadhams, University of Cambridge: Observations of the topography of the under side of sea ice with a sidescan sonar in the winter marginal ice zone of the East Greenland Current using a Maridan 150 AUV.


2003

A. Jenkins, and D. Hayes, British Antarctic Survey, M. Brandon and C. Banks, Open University: Sea-ice draft observations in the western Bellingshausen Sea with Autosub2, also observations of surface wave decay and directional spectra in the marginal sea ice zone. (Unable to reach the Pine Island Glacier).


2004

J. Dowdeswell, University of Cambridge, K Heywood, University of East Anglia and others: Observations under ice in Courtauld Fjord and Kangerdlugssuaq Fjord, Eastern Greenland with Autousb2. Also collection of water samples by the AUV for tracer laboratory analysis of oxygen isotope ratio to estimate melt water content.


2005

D. Demer, National Marine Fisheries Service and M. Patterson, College of William and Mary: Nearshore acoustical survey including a Zodiac-deployed Sias-Patterson Fetch AUV. See page 112-123 of the US Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program Report for 2004/5.


K. Nicholls, P. Abrahamsen, British Antarctic Survey, K Heywood, University of East Anglia and others: Observations of ocean physics, oxygen isotope ratio, and ice shelf and seabed topography under the Fimbul Ice Shelf with the Autosub2 AUV. Autosub2 lost.

Autosub

Weddell Sea

Theseus Spinnaker Arctic Ocean

Autosub

Amundsen Sea

Fetch I

Livingston Island

Autosub Fimbulisen

Autosub

East Greenland

Maridan 150

Greenland Sea