ROV-mounted high-resolution laser scan data acquired at vertical deep-sea habitats, Galapagos Islands, 2023 (FKt230918)

ROV SuBastian-mounted laser scanner data for high-resolution mapping of steep, vertical and overhanging cold water coral reefs in the Galápagos, Ecuador, was collected during Falkor (too) cruise FKt230918 in 2023. The Voyis Insight Micro laser scanner system was mounted on the vehicle porch using an adjustable bracket to set the pitch during three ROV SuBastian dives (S0578, S0584, S0597). Mapping was done by vertically moving the vehicle from the base of a cliff to the top, then shifting slightly over for another line. Navigation data from the SprintNav system were combined in the Voyis ViewLS software to provide georeferenced 3D point clouds data. All mounting offsets are outlined in the associated cruise report (https://doi.org/10.48336/7sjp-t131), but this represents the data prior to the inclusion of patch test offsets. The data files are in ASCII XYZ comma-separated format with the following six columns: Column 1: Scalar Field 1, ZDA timestamp. Column 2: X Position Value (relative). Column 3: Y Position Value (relative). Column 4: Z Position Value (depth). Column 5: Scalar Field 2, Intensity. Column 6: Scalar Field 3, Quality. Funding for the project was provided through Schmidt Ocean Institute; processing of this data was supported through a Canada Research Chair in Ocean Mapping award.