Mapeamento do cânion de Areia Branca, Margem Norte do Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

This study aimed to map the Areia Branca Canyon, located on the continental slope adjacent to the municipality of Areia Branca, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, as part of the SeabedMap project, which seeks to map the seafloor of the Brazilian equatorial margin, a region with potential natural resources. In doing so, it contributes to Seabed2030, a global initiative for ocean mapping by 2030. The methodology involved acquiring multibeam bathymetric data aboard the Brazilian Navy vessels Cruzeiro do Sul and Vital de Oliveira . The data were processed using HIPS and SIPS 12.0 software, followed by the interpretation of seabed structures. The results enabled the visualization of the marine relief, highlighting the Areia Branca Canyon. A high-resolution map and a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) were produced. Along the canyon’s 38 km extension, geomorphological structures were observed. Profiles traced along the canyon exhibit "V" and "U" shapes. This information underscores the importance of detailed area characterization to mitigate risks associated with submarine infrastructure installation and to consider its formation as related to underwater erosional processes and turbidity current dynamics.