Preface The expedition ARK XIX/3 with the German icebreaking RV ...

It now seems unlikely that hydrocarbon seepage is involved with this feature, which
appears to be being actively eroded by the fast currents. We have been able to
complete a series of photomontages and photoquadrats with excellent optical
resolution. These will be used to accurately map the geology as well as the zonation
of saxicolous organisms along the scarp face. We hope to provide a detailed
description of the scarp feature based on this extensive acoustic and photographic
data-set. One area of concern was that although Monkfish (Lophius) were common on
ledges along the scarp, lost fishing gear and other plastic waste were common.
Despite the remote location of this dramatic shelf-slope feature, man is already
affecting the ecology of the spectacular marine community.
Box-cores and multibeam coverages
A number of box-cores were also taken for sedimentological sampling and the
following logs presented. High resolution multibeam coverages were also performed to
quantify the topographic and morphological context and the scarp and associated
carbonate mounds sited on this feature.
- 107 -