Channel: MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: submarine canyonsmart boulderocean techunderwater landslidelandslidegeologymonterey baysedimenthigh-techmudflowocean engineeringunderwaterocean technologymonterey canyon

Description: The sediment that pours out of coastal rivers accumulates at the head of Monterey Canyon. Periodically, it collapses and forms a sediment gravity flow that surges through the submarine canyon like an underwater landslide. Because these flows move quickly and powerfully along the seafloor, they are challenging for scientists to study. Motion-sensing “smart boulders” developed by MBARI engineers have provided the first detailed look inside sediment gravity flows. MBARI researchers have learned that sediment gravity flows mobilize the top three meters (10 feet) of the seafloor, a finding with major implications for underwater infrastructure like cables carrying data and power to coastal communities. Learn more: mbari.org/beds-sediment-flows Editor: Megan Bassett Writer: Raúl Nava Production team: Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun Music: Finding Answers by Oliver Garcia (Motion Array) Subscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletter Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews​ Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News​ Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari- And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news