Scientific use of 3D visual seafloor reconstructions
Half-day Workshop
Date:
Time:

12th March 2015
13:00~17:30

Venue:JAMSTEC Yokosuka headquarters
Main Conference Room (Ocean side)
Main Building 1F
2-15, Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka-city, Kanagawa, 237-0061

Organizers:

IIS, The University of Tokyo
ACFR (Australian Centre for Field Robotics) University of Sydney
JAMSTEC

Convener:

Blair Thornton (IIS)
Stefan Williams (ACFR)
Dhugal Lindsay (JAMSTEC)

Language:

EnglishOverview:
The generation of dimensionally accurate, geo-referenced 3D visual maps of the seafloor usingunderwater robots can now be considered routine. However, while the generation of these primarydata products can be automated, interpretation of the data to extract scientifically useful information
is typically application specific and requires detailed inspection and analysis by experts. In order tomake 3D visual data more accessible to the scientific community, it is necessary to develop theappropriate tools to help interpret these maps in an efficient manner.
The aim of this workshop is to identify the key scientific goals for benthic habitat mapping inhydrothermally active areas and regions affected by tsunami debris following the 2011 Tohoku
disaster. The results of habitat mapping surveys performed using 3D visual mapping technology inthese areas will be discussed together with the workflows currently used to interpret the information
obtained. Researchers from the ACFR (University of Sydney) will introduce the technology andsoftware that they have developed to survey coral reefs off the coast of Australia and share theirexperience of over 10 years of applied research in this area.
During the workshop, we will form study groups to discuss key technologies necessary to apply
these technologies effectively to the major goals of the scientific community looking at habitat
mapping in these areas. At the end of the workshop, short presentations of scenarios to apply thetechnologies, or develop new technology to answer specific scientific questions will be made. The
workshop will allow scientists and engineers to interact and hopefully achieve a better
understanding of the goals and limitations faced by each other, with the intention of using the ideas
and suggestions to form the basis of realistic and rewarding proposals and opportunities forcollaboration.

Supported by: Australia-Japan Foundation, Milmil Crest JST	 Scientific use of 3D visual seafloor reconstructions
Half-day Workshop
Program:Welcome address
1. Talks (Total ~2 hrs)

・ Scientific objective 1 (~15min)
Benthic habitats in the Tohoku Region following the Great East Japan Earthquake
Takehisa Yamakita (JAMSTEC)・ Scientific objective 2 (~15min)Post-drilling analysis of chemosynthetic ecosystems in the Iheya North Field
Ryota Nakajima (JAMSTEC)・ Technology application 1 (~25min)
Habitat mapping using multi-resolution 3D visual seafloor reconstructions
Blair Thornton (IIS, The University of Tokyo)
・ Technology application 2 (~60min)
Monitoring changes in benthic ecosystems off the Australian coast using robotic platforms
Stefan William (ACFR, University of Sydney)
Short break
2. Group discussions (Total ~2hrs)

・ Group discussion (~40min)
Participants split into small groups to discuss the application and technology and gaps that need
to be filled to effectively address the scientific goals identified in the first 2 talks
Short break・ Executive summary (~40min)
Representative of each group presents a 1 slide summary of the ideas discussed in their groupto the remaining participantsClosing remarks

Supported by: Australia-Japan Foundation, Milmil Crest JST