BISMARCK Geoscientific Data 2002

This dataset contains geoscientific data logged during BISMARCK cruise (FR02/02) on RV Franklin 1-25.3.2002. These data include logged station coordinates and information for dredges, sediment grabs and cores, CTD/hydrocasts, echosounder and camera/video operations, and geological samples. BISMARCK-2002 (FR-02/2002) was the first of two back-to-back legs during which CSIRO Exploration and Mining this year continued its study of hydrothermal mineral formation in marginal basins and volcanic arcs of the South West Pacific Ocean. The general aim was to study modern seafloor hydrothermal ore-forming activity in order to develop improved methods of exploring for ancient mineral deposits on land that originally formed by similar processes. This approach avoids the problems of metamorphism and deformation that can confuse direct genetic investigations of ancient ore bodies themselves. Commencing at Cairns and ending at Rabaul, the cruise focussed on the Western Bismarck Volcanic Arc from Umboi and Ritter in the east to the Schouten Islands in the west. During the final days several sites north of New Britain and near our previous operations in the Eastern Manus Basin were also examined. At the 51 features examined, 204 operations were conducted. A total of 136 out of these operations involved over-the-side deployments of the CTD, dredge, grab, corer, and bottom-tow video system. A plethora of laboratory research deriving from this expedition will contribute to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of land-based mineral exploration and mining, to assessments of the feasibility of future exploitation of seabed mineral resources, and to basic geoscience.