On December 12, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Hong Gi-hoon) announced the launch of a joint international research project to map the underwater topography of the Indian and Pacific oceans. 

At the 2017 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, which began on December 12, KIOST will share the achievements it has made using the RV Isabu research vessel to make  geophysical measurements for mapping the deep sea floor of the Indian Ocean and exchange its views on the joint research project plan for the Indian and Pacific oceans and the development of data-processing methods with sea floor topography experts from Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Deep sea floor maps provide essential information for basic marine research, such as biological and mineral resource studies and earthquake research. However, less than 10 percent of the earth’s sea floor has been mapped in terms of depth, topography, and habitats of underwater organisms. In particular, there is almost no information at all on the underwater topography of the Indian and Pacific oceans. 

RV Isabu, which was launched in 2016 after four years of construction, is the largest marine research vessel in the Republic of Korea. In 2017, the vessel successfully completed an ocean exploration and research project in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

In the Indian Ocean, KIOST researchers made the first observation of the marine factors that determine climate, gathered samples, and collected exotic organisms from an active volcano, which are currently being analyzed. In the Pacific Ocean, they conducted research on the mechanism of typhoon generation. By conducting such extensive and meaningful research, KIOST has proven its capacity as a partner organization of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

KIOST President Hong Gi-hoon remarked, “This year marked the first year of Korea’s journey to become a nation with a strong marine science sector. Thanks to the support of the people, we were able to successfully complete our research project on the Indian and Pacific oceans using RV Isabu, and our academic and technological achievements have been recognized internationally. Going forward, we will continue strengthening international cooperation and use the science and technology we have developed to assist in the management of the Earth’s vast waters.”