This paper describes the pioneering use of a GIS
aboard a deepsea oceanographic research vessel, in concert
with the ALVIN diving submersible, to explore and map
sites along a seafloor spreading center in the Northeast
Pacific Ocean. Integrated, multidisciplinary datasets of three
hydrothermally active regions of the Juan de Fuca Ridge
were available at sea for two ALVIN dive programs during
the summer of 1995. ALVIN was used to carry out
extensive, integrated sampling of features that were
discovered and mapped on previous expeditions to the study
area. The use of a GIS played a major role in optimizing the
limited time spent on bottom with ALVIN by providing
detailed and accurate pre-dive maps of important
hydrothermal and geological features for all the proposed
dive areas. GIS operations were also valuable post-dive in
providing maps of dive tracklines and sample locations in
relation to geological features, and in assessing their
navigational accuracy. Newly-acquired submersible
tracklines, sample locations, marker deployments and rock
core locations were added to the database at sea. One of the
surprising aspects of the introduction of any new technology
to a discipline is the way in which it creates new perspectives
and methodologies, rather than merely automating the "old
way of doing things." Based on the success of the '95
expeditions, and given the funding and logistical feasibility, it
is hoped that GIS operations will someday become a standard
component of oceanographic research with deepsea
submersibles.
Keywords: marine geography, seafloor-spreading, GIS