MSM20/4 raw data of EM120 multibeam echosounder (bathymetry, beam time series & water column)

Multibeam data (MBES) based on the KONGSBERG EM120 Multibeam echosounder was recorded during the RV MARIA S. MERIAN cruise MSM20/4 (WACOM). The cruise took place between 14.3.2012 and 7.4.2012 in the West Atlantic (Florida Strait, Caribbean). Being a part of the international program TRACES (Trans Atlantic Coral Ecosystem Studies), the main research goal of the cruise was the investigation of the occurrence and diversity of cold water corals (CWC), to compare these findings with information about coral ecosystems in other parts of the Atlantic. Using sampling equipment (CTD, box and gravity corer) as well as the Remotely Operating Vehicle (ROV) CHEROKEE (MARUM) physical and biological factors, which control the occurrence of CWCs, were further examined. Hydroacoustic equipment like the EM120, EM1002 and Parasound PS70 by ATLAS were utilized to map the research areas and to plan sampling stations. […]