Exploration Cruises

IOM’s major task is to carry out exploration of polymetallic nodules in the claimed area. Data and samples are collected during exploration cruises. Cruises are accomplished independently or in cooperation with other organizations, providing wide range of geological, hydrological, hydro-meteorological and environmental data.

Exploration scientific cruises

YEARRESEARCH VESSEL (R/V)EXPLORATION ACTIVITY
1987-198817 Syezd ProfsoyuzovRegional geological and geophysical reconnaissance, preliminary CDC+CTD survey, sediment and polymetallic nodules sampling, geochemical and mineralogical determination, preliminary environmental assessment
1988-1989Geolog Petr Antropov
1988-1989Geofyzik
1988-1989Akademik Alexandr Karpinski
1989Akademik Alexandr Sidorenko
1989Mikolaj Kopernik
1989Morskoy Geolog
1989Akademik Alexandr Sidorenko
1989-1990Geolog Petr Antropov
1989-1990Profesor Fedinskiy
1989-1990Akademik Alexandr Sidorenko
1989-1990Geolog Fersman
1994Haiyang IVlOM/COMRA – baseline investigation
1994YuzhmorgeologiyaIOM/MMAJ – participation in BIE/JET test
1994YuzhmorgeologiyaBaseline investigation, selection of IOM/BIE site
1995YuzhmorgeologiyaDetailed exploration in IOM/BIE site with the participation of the UN trainees
1995YuzhmorgeologiyaIOM/BIE test with the participation of pioneer investors
1996SonnelOM/VWS – participation in geotechnical investigation and environmental monitoring (Peru Basin)
1997Profesor LogatschevMeiobiological and ecological monitoring in IOM/BIE site and detailed exploration of site adjoining nodule occurrence – Preservation Reference Area (PRA)
1999GelendzhikDetailed bathymetric survey of the whole IOM claim areas (B1, B2) with multi-beam sonar SIMRAD EM 12- Kongsberg/Norway
2001YuzhmorgeologiyaDeep-tow photographic survey, nodule and sediment box-corer sampling, trawling, gravity coring, sediments and pore water investigations, meiobenthos study in B2 sector. Water column and hydro meteorological observations
2004YuzhmorgeologiyaNodule and sediment box-corer sampling, trawling, dredging and hydro meteorological observations in B2 sector
2009YuzhmorgeologiyaSide-scan sonar surveys, photo profiling, nodule and sediment box-corer sampling, trawling and hydro meteorological observations in H11 block
2014YuzhmorgeologiyaSide-scan sonar surveys, photo and video profiling, nodule and sediment box-corer sampling, biological sampling, trawling and hydro meteorological observations in H11 block
2018GelendzhikDetailed bathymetric survey of exploration blocks H11, H22, H33 and H44
2019GelendzhikSide-scan sonar surveys, photo and video profiling, nodule and sediment box-corer and gravity-corer sampling, biological sampling and hydro meteorological observations in exploration blocks H22 and H33