Research Technical Report

Seafloor Mapping of Fanny Shoal and Partington Canyon: NOAA Ship McArthur II Cruise

de Marignac, J., G. Greene, R. Anima, J. Chin, E. Burton, M. Carver, J. Dreyer, H. Lopez, L. Murai, and F. Payne (July 2003)

In: MBNMS (ed), Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2003 Field Research Review, A Report to the Sanctuary Advisory Council, pp. 6-14.

ABSTRACT

In July 2003, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in collaboration with 3 other federal agencies and two local research institutions led a six days research cruise aboard the NOAA Ship McARTHUR II. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provided sidescan sonar technology to survey the seafloor at Fanny Shoal in the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and in the vicinity of Partington Canyon in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The surveys revealed an extensive and a geologically complex basement and bedrock outcrop in Fanny Shoal, and a narrow continental shelf that is experiencing considerable littoral sediment transport in the Partington Canyon area. The Center for Habitat Studies at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories processed the data collected in Partington Canyon and produced a habitat map of the area surveyed. Fanny Shoal data will be processed and inventoried at the USGS in the coming year.