R/V METEOR M112: 6 November - 15 December 2014 (Catania - Antalya - Catania)

Gas hydrates in mud volcanoes of the Anaximander Mountains (Eastern Mediterranean)

In the frame of this research cruise the distribution, the quantity and the dynamics of gas hydrates in submarine mud volcanoes of Anaximander Mountains (northeastern Mediterranean) will be investigated. Mud volcanoes are considered globally important emitters of climate relevant methane gas. In the area numerous mud volcanoes are known - four of them shall be explored along a water depth profile. Based on micro-bathymetric detailed maps which had been issued earlier, sediment cores will be gathered under in situ pressure from selected locations at the seafloor. By this more exact quantities of hydrate can be determined. Heat flow measurements in the sediments will be acquired using a heat-flow lance. During the dives with our remotely operated vehicle (ROV) emitted gas quantities will be quantified, and the colonisation by chemosynthetic organisms will be explored as well.

Micro-bathymetry of Kazan Mud Volcano (above left) and Thessaloniki Mud Volcano (above right), measured with AUV SEAL 5000. Both mud volcanoes are part of a group of mud volcanoes in a submarine mountain (below) between Cryprus and Crete, in the eastern Mediterreanean.

Tube worms rooting in the hydrogen sulphide-rich sediments below a carbonate crust of Amsterdam mud volcano.

Extraordinary population of tube worms on a rock of Athina mud volcano in 1,800 m water depth. ROV-QUEST shot during dive no. 135, cruise M70/3 in 2006.

Chief Scientist:
Gerhard Bohrmann

Phone: +49 421 21865051
Mail: [Bitte aktivieren Sie Javascript]

Actual position of R/V METEOR

RV METEOR with Control Station German Research Vessels

M112 Leg 1: 06.11.-20.11.2014
Catania - Antalya

M112 Leg 2: 20.11.-15.12.2014
Antalya - Catania

Weblog with National Geographic (in German)

Weekly Reports from M112

M112-WB1-English.pdf (233.2 kB)

M112-WB2-English.pdf (349.2 kB)

M112-WB3-English.pdf (385.8 kB)

M112-WB4-English.pdf (359.9 kB)

M112-WB5-English.pdf (385.1 kB)

M112-WB6-English.pdf (454.6 kB)

Autoclave-piston corers DAPC I und II

Above: ROV QUEST 4000 of MARUM
Below: AUV SEAL 5000

Depression in the centre of Amsterdam mud volcano. Clearly visible are different clasts of various sizes which were transported together with the mud from greater depth to the surface through the volcano's chimney.