GEOMAR  Gazis, Iason-Zois

Dr. Iason-Zois Gazis

Iason_Gaziz

Postdoctoral researcher in Habitat Mapping
Research Division 2: Marine Biogeochemistry
Research Unit: Marine Geosystems
Research Group: DeepSea Monitoring

Office
Room: 8A-104
Phone: +49 431 600-2562
Email: igazis(at)geomar.de

Address
Wischhofstrasse 1-3
D-24148 Kiel

Research Interests

  • Hydroacoustic seafloor mapping
  • Underwater imagery
  • Machine learning
  • Deep-sea mining
  • Habitat mapping
  • Resources estimation

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  1. Gazis, IZ., de Stigter, H., Mohrmann, J. et al. Monitoring benthic plumes, sediment redeposition and seafloor imprints caused by deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining. Nat Commun 16, 1229 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56311-0
  2. Gazis, IZ., Charlet, F. & Greinert, J. An Interpretable Multi-Model Machine Learning Approach for Spatial Mapping of Deep-Sea Polymetallic Nodule Occurrences. Nat Resour Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-024-10393-7
  3. Van Audenhaege L., Mahamadaly V., Price D., Sneessens A., Cawthra HC., Delamare C., Danet V., Delsol S., Devillers R., Gazis I.-Z., Urbina-Barreto I. (2023) Workshop on 3D mapping of habitats and biological communities with underwater photogrammetry. Research Ideas and Outcomes 9: e115796. https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.9.e115796
  4. Mbani, B., Schoening, T., Gazis I-Z, Koch R, Greinert J. 2022. Implementation of an automated workflow for image-based seafloor classification with examples from manganese-nodule covered seabed areas in the Central Pacific Ocean. Sci Rep 12, 15338. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-19070-2
  5. Purkiani, K., Haeckel, M., Haalboom, S., Schmidt, K., Urban, P., Gazis, I-Z., de Stigter, H., Paul, A., Walter, M., and Vink, A. 2022. Impact of a long-lived anticyclonic mesoscale eddy on seawater anomalies in the northeastern tropical Pacific Ocean: a composite analysis from hydrographic measurements, sea level altimetry data, and reanalysis model products, Ocean Sci., 18, 1163–1181, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1163-2022
  6. Haalboom S, Schoening T, Urban P, Gazis I-Z, de Stigter H, Gillard B, Baeye M, Hollstein M, Purkiani K, Reichart G-J, Thomsen L, Haeckel M, Vink A and Greinert J (2022) Monitoring of Anthropogenic Sediment Plumes in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, NE Equatorial Pacific Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science 9:882155. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.882155
  7. Gazis, I.-Z. and Greinert, J. (2021). Importance of Spatial Autocorrelation in Machine Learning Modeling of Polymetallic Nodules, Model Uncertainty and Transferability at Local Scale. Minerals, 11 (11), 1172, 33 Pages. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/min11111172
  8. Hasiotis, T., Gazis, I.-Z., Anastasatou, M., Manoutsoglou, E., Velegrakis, A.F., Kapsimalis, V., Karditsa, A., and Stamatakis, M. (2020). Searching for potential marine sand resources to mitigate beach erosion in island settings. Marine Georesources & Geotechnology, 38, 1-16. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2020.1721623
  9. Gazis, I.-Z., Schoening, T., Evangelos, A., and Greinert, J. (2018). Quantitative mapping and predictive modeling of Mn nodules’ distribution from hydroacoustic and optical AUV data linked by random forests machine learning. Biogeosciences, 15, 7347-7377. DOI: doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-7347-2018

Book Chapters

  1. Köser K, She M., Diller N., Reissmann S., Weiß T., Heger K., Song Y., Schöntag P., Nakath D., Schoening T., Mohrmann J., Gazis I.-Z., Kampmeier M., Rothenbeck M., Wenzlaff E., and Greinert J. Autonomous Visual 3D Mapping of the Ocean Floor by Underwater Robots Equipped with a Single Photo Camera (2024). In: Rodríguez-Quiñonez, J.C., Flores-Fuentes, W., Castro-Toscano, M.J., Sergiyenko, O. (eds) Scanning Technologies for Autonomous Systems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-59531-8_3

Data Publications

  1. Stauffer, Julian B; Volpato, Marco; Hoving, Henk-Jan T; Greinert, Jens; Gazis, Iason-Zois; Mohrmann, Jochen; Keller, Mareike; Schumacher, Mia; Mertens, Véronique (2024): Multibeam bathymetry raw data (Kongsberg EM 122 entire dataset) of RV METEOR during cruise M202 [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.972780
  2. Stauffer, Julian B; Volpato, Marco; Hoving, Henk-Jan T; Greinert, Jens; Gazis, Iason-Zois; Mohrmann, Jochen; Keller, Mareike; Schumacher, Mia; Mertens, Véronique (2024): Multibeam bathymetry raw data (Kongsberg EM710 entire dataset) of RV METEOR during cruise M202 [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.972781
  3. Stauffer, Julian B; Hoving, Henk-Jan T; Gazis, Iason-Zois; Mohrmann, Jochen; Kampmeier, Mareike; Veloso-Alarcón, Mario Enrique; Schumacher, Mia; Dierking, Jan (2024): Multibeam bathymetry raw data (Kongsberg EM712 entire dataset) of RV MARIA S. MERIAN during cruise MSM126 [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.968538 
  4. Stauffer, Julian B; Hoving, Henk-Jan T; Gazis, Iason-Zois; Mohrmann, Jochen; Kampmeier, Mareike; Veloso-Alarcón, Mario Enrique; Schumacher, Mia; Dierking, Jan (2024): Multibeam bathymetry raw data (Kongsberg EM 122 entire dataset) of RV MARIA S. MERIAN during cruise MSM126 [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.968537
  5. Gazis, I-Z; Greinert, J (2023): Multibeam bathymetry raw data (Wärtsilä ELAC 3050 MK II entire dataset) of RV POSEIDON during cruise POS526, North Sea. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.956775
  6. Gazis, I-Z; Thomadaki, M; Greinert, J (2023): Multibeam bathymetry processed data (Wärtsilä ELAC 3050 MK II entire dataset) of RV POSEIDON during cruise POS526, North Sea. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.957183
  7. Haalboom, S; de Stigter, H; Urban, P; Gazis, I-Z; Gillard, B; Schoening, T (2022): Turbidity data measured during a dredge experiment during RV SONNE cruise SO268/2 in the German license area, CCZ, NE Pacific Ocean. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.943396
  8. Baeye, M; Haalboom, S; Urban, P; Gazis, I-Z; Gillard, B; Schoening, T; de Stigter, H (2022): Turbidity data measured during a dredge experiment during RV SONNE cruise SO268/2 in the German license area, CCZ, NE Pacific Ocean. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.942065
  9. Greinert, J; Haalboom, S; Urban, P; Gazis, I-Z; Gillard, B; Schoening, T; de Stigter, H (2022): Turbidity and current data measured during a dredge experiment during RV SONNE cruise SO268/2 in the German license area, CCZ, NE Pacific Ocean. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.943331 
  10. Haalboom, S; de Stigter, H; Urban, P; Gazis, I-Z; Gillard, B; Schoening, T (2022): Current data measured during a dredge experiment during RV SONNE cruise SO268/2 in the German license area, CCZ, NE Pacific Ocean. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.943402
  11. Gazis, I-Z; Mohrmann, J; Schoening, T; Wölfl, A-C, 2021: Multibeam bathymetry processed data (Kongsberg EM 122 working area dataset) of RV MARIA S. MERIAN during cruise MSM96. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.930063
  12. Mohrmann, J; Gazis, I-Z; Schoening, T; Wölfl, A-C, 2021: Multibeam bathymetry raw data (Kongsberg EM 122 entiredataset) of RV MARIA S. MERIAN during cruise MSM96. PANGAEA, doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.929091
  13. Schoening, T; Gazis, I-Z; Mohrmann, J, 2021: Sediment echosounder raw data (Atlas Parasound P70 echosounder entire dataset) of RV MARIA S. MERIAN during cruise MSM96. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.929548
  14. Schoening, T; Kopte, R; Mohrmann, J; Gazis, I-Z, 2020: ADCP current measurements (75 kHz) during Maria S. Merian cruise MSM96. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.925938  
  15. Schoening, T; Kopte, R; Mohrmann, J; Gazis, I-Z, 2020: ADCP current measurements (38 kHz) during Maria S. Merian cruise MSM96. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.925936  
  16. Gazis, I-Z; Urban, P.; Haeckel, M., 2020: Swath sonar multibeam EM122 bathymetry raw data during SONNE cruises SO268/1 and SO268/2, German License Area in Clarion Clipperton Zone, Pacific. GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.919755 
  17. Gazis, I-Z; Urban, P.; Haeckel, M., 2020: Swath sonar multibeam EM122 bathymetry raw data during SONNE cruises SO268/1 and SO268/2, Belgian License Area in Clarion Clipperton Zone, Pacific. GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.919756 
  18. Gazis, I-Z; Urban, P.; Haeckel, M.; Wölfl, A-C., 2020: Swath sonar multibeam EM122 bathymetry raw data during transits of SONNE cruises SO268/1 and SO268/2, Pacific. GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.919757 
  19. Gazis, I-Z. 2020: Processed EM122 multibeam swath bathymetry collected during SONNE cruise SO268/1 inside the German Licensed Area in Clarion Clipperton Zone, Pacific.  GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.915764 
  20. Gazis, I-Z. 2020: Processed AUV multibeam swath bathymetry collected during SONNE cruise SO268/1 inside the German Licensed Area in Clarion Clipperton Zone, Pacific. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.915765  
  21. Gazis, I-Z. 2020: Processed EM122 multibeam swath bathymetry collected during SONNE cruise SO268/1 inside the Belgian Licensed Area in Clarion Clipperton Zone, Pacific. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.915767  
  22. Gazis, I-Z; Urban, P., 2020: Swath sonar multibeam EM122 water column data of R/V SONNE cruises SO268/1 and SO268/2 with links to wcd data files. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.914390  
  23. Gazis, I-Z; Urban, P., 2020: Profile of sediment echo sounding during SONNE cruise SO268/1 with links to raw ParaSound data files. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.914607 
  24. Gazis, I-Z; Urban, P., 2020: Profiles of vertical fish echo sounder Simrad EK60 during R/V SONNE cruises SO268/1 and SO268/2 with links to raw data files. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.914367 
  25. Gazis, I-Z; Urban, P., 2020: Shipboard ADCP data during R/V SONNE cruises SO268/1 and SO268/2 with links to raw data files. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.913929 
  26. Urban, P; Gazis, I-Z., 2020: Processed ROV multibeam swath bathymetry collected during SONNE cruise SO268/2 inside the Belgian Licensed Area in Clarion Clipperton Zone, Pacific. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA. https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.915766 
  27. Schoening, T.; Gazis, I-Z., 2019: Sizes, weights, and volumes of polymetallic nodules from box cores taken during SONNE cruises SO268/1 and SO268/2. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.904962 
  28. Schoening, T; Gazis, I-Z., 2019: Summary of sizes, weights, counts and coverage of poly-metallic nodules from box cores taken during SONNE cruises SO268/1 and SO268/2. GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.904967

Scientific Expeditions

  1. IP21-MANGAN: Independent scientific monitoring of two collector tests in the BGR and GSR contract areas for the exploration of polymetallic nodules in the equatorial NE Pacific. San Diego (USA) 04.04.2021 – San Diego (USA) 15.05.2021
  2. MSM96 – METAL ML: Heterogeneity and complexity of topography, habitats and geochemistry of the Atlantic Ocean seafloor. Emden (Germany) – Emden (Germany), 10.10.-10.11.2020
  3. SO268-1: JPI Oceans - Environmental impacts and risks of deep-sea mining. Manzanillo (Mexico) – Manzanillo (Mexico), 18.02-27.03.2019
  4. MPII/112018: Elucidating Patagonian Ice Sheets dynamics during the last deglaciation from the underwater geomorphology. Punta Arenas (Chile) -   Punta Arenas (Chile), 2.11-18.11.2018
  5. POS530: Environmental monitoring for the delaboration of munitions on the seabed (UDEMM project) inside the German EEZ (Baltic Sea). Kiel (Germany) – Kiel (Germany), 1.10 – 21.10. 2018
  6. SLOGARO M143: Slope failures and active gas expulsion along the Romanian margin – investigating relations to gas hydrate distribution. Varna (Romania) – Heraklion (Greece), 12.12.-22.12.2017

Conferences

  1. Stauffer J. B., Volpato M., Canning-Clode J., Dierking J., Gazis I-Z., Greinert J., Mohrmann J., Hoving Henk-J.; 2025: Benthic habitat distribution and diversity on the slopes of Madeira. 17th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium, 12-17 January Hongkong, China.
  2. Gazis I.Z., Charlet F. Greinert J., 2024: Machine learning and backscatter for spatial mapping of deep-sea polymetallic nodules. 5 – 7 November, Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany.
  3. Gazis I-Z, de Stigter H., Mohrmann J., Heger K., Diaz M., Gillard B., Baeye M., Veloso-Alarcón, M., Purkiani K., Haeckel M., Vink A., Thomsen L., Cuvelier D., Ramalho P., Greinert J., 2023: Deep-sea Mining Trial in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone: Advancements in resource estimation, plume monitoring, and environmental impact assessments. Underwater Minerals Conference, October 1 - 6, 2023, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  4. de Clippele L., Gafeira J., Arosio R., Huvenne V. A. I., Ragnarsson S., Kutti T., Larsson A. I., Sowers D., Diesing M., Gazis I.-Z., Greinert J., Hebbeln D., Wienberg C., Titschack J., Wheeler A., Mohn C., Burmeister K., Schwarzkopf F., Orejas C., Roberts M., 2023: Using the novel CoMMa toolbox to map and characterize coral mounds across the Atlantic Ocean. 8th International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 29 May - 02 June 2023
  5. Gazis I.-Z., de Stigter H., Mohrmann J., Heger K., Diaz M., Gillard B., Baeye M., Veloso-Alarcón, M., Purkiani K., Thomsen L., Haeckel M., Vink A., Greinert J., 2023: Deep-sea Mining: Spatiotemporal seafloor and plume monitoring of in-situ trials in Clarion-Clipperton-Zone using hydroacoustic and optic methods, GEOHAB 2023 Marine Geological and Habitat Mapping Conference, La Réunion, France, 08-12 May 2023
  6. Gazis I.-Z., Charlet F.,Greinert J., 2023: A multiple-model machine learning approach with increased interpretability for spatial prediction of polymetallic nodules using hydroacoustic and optic data. GEOHAB 2023 Marine Geological and Habitat Mapping Conference, La Réunion, France, 08-12 May 2023
  7. Diaz M., de Stigter H., Gillard B., Gazis I.-Z., Mohrmann J., Heger K., Baeye M., Thomsen L., Greinert J., 2023: Monitoring flocculation during a deep-sea mining test in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria & Online, 23-28 April 2023
  8. Gazis I.-Z., de Stigter H., Mohrmann J., Heger K., Diaz M., Gillard B., Baeye M., Purkiani K., Veloso-Alarcón, M., Hollstein M., Schoening T., Urban P., Haalboom S., Thomsen L., Haeckel M., Vink A., Charlet F., Greinert J., 2022: Deep-sea mining plume monitoring:  Results from the first deep-sea trial of the Patania-II pre-prototype nodule collector and parallel plume monitoring with hydroacoustic and optic methods. Underwater Minerals Conference, October 2 - 7, 2022, The Vinoy Renaissance Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida, US
  9. Purkiani K., Gazis I.-Z., Mohrmann J., Heger K., Diaz M., Veloso-Alarcón, M., Gillard B., Baeye M., Paul A., de Stigter H., Haeckel M., Vink A., Greinert J., Thomsen L., Schulz M.2022: Numerical simulation of deep-sea sediment dispersion induced by a pre-prototype nodule collector vehicle in the northeast tropical Pacific Ocean. Underwater Minerals Conference, October 2 - 7, 2022, The Vinoy Renaissance Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.
  10. Gazis I.Z., Greinert J., 2022: Machine learning-based modeling of deep-sea polymetallic nodules spatial distribution: spatial autocorrelation and model transferability at local scales. EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria & Online, 23-27 May 2022.
  11. Veloso-Alarcón, M., Gazis I.-Z., Geiger, A., Bertrand Sebastien, and Cristián Rodrigo, 2022: Advances on submarine geomorphology at the Fjord system of Gran Campo Nevado (~52°S) EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria & Online, 23-27 May 2022.
  12. Gazis I.Z., Greinert J., 2022: The effect of spatial autocorrelation in machine learning-based modeling of deep-sea polymetallic nodules spatial distribution. GEOHAB 2022 Marine Geological and Habitat Mapping Conference, Venice, Italy 16-20 May 2022.
  13. Gazis I.Z., Greinert J., Schoening T., 2019: Spatial quantitative mapping of polymetallic nodules based on machine learning.  12th Russian-German Raw Materials Conference, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 27-29 November 2019.
  14. Gazis I.Z., Greinert J., Schoening T., 2019: Manganese nodules spatial quantitative mapping based on AUV data and machine learning. Regional Conference on Geomorphology, Athens, Greece, 19-21 September 2019.
  15. Geiger A.J., Smedley R.K., Garcia1 J.L., Rodriguez P.C., Herrera G., Ferri L.,Veloso M., Gazis I.Z., Bertrand S., 2019: A multi-method approach to constrain glacier geometry changes between the Gran Campo Nevado and Pacific Ocean during last glacial-deglacial phase.20th Congress of the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA), Dublin, Ireland, 25-31 July 2019.
  16. Alibakhsi A., Kumar A., Gazis I.Z., Seelmann K., Juva K. 2018: Presenting the scientific research held at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel From the Deep Sea to the Atmosphere. NexGen Conference, Helmholtz-Centre Potsdam, German Research Centre for Geosciences, 25-27 July 2018
  17. Gazis I.Z., Greinert J., Schoening T., 2018: Digital Data in Marine Resource Assessment: Challenges and Chances. GEOMAR DataScience Symposium, Kiel, Germany, 19-20 April 2018.
  18. Gazis I.Z., Greinert J., Schoening T., 2017: AUV-based small scale quantitative predictive mapping of Mn-nodules: Precondition for ideal mining path planning. Economical, Technological, and Environmental Aspects: Cooperative Solutions for Future Deep-sea Mining. 46th Underwater Mining Conference, Federation of German Industries (BDI), Berlin, Germany, 24-29 October 2017.
  19. Gazis I.Z., Hasiotis T., Velegrakis A.F., Anastasatou M., Kardıtsa A., Andreadıs, O., Kapsimalis V., Stamatakis M., Poulos S., 2017: The potential of marine aggregate deposits off a highly eroded coastal area in Lesvos Isl. (Greece) - Implications for coastal management. 15th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, Rhodes, Greece, 31st August - 2nd September 2017.
  20. Gazis I.Z., Lazogiannis K., Hasiotis T., Velegrakis A., Poulos S., 2014: Recent sedimentation processes in the subaqueous part of Pinios delta (Thessaly), Greece. 10th International Congress of the Hellenic Geographical Society, Thessaloniki, Greece, 22-24, October 2014.

Awards

  • 1st award in the Section Energy and Digitalization in Sustainable Development during the 12th Russian-German Raw Materials Conference, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 27-29 November 2019.
  • 1st award Europa macht Schule 2018, CAU Lektorat Deutsch als Fremdsprache
  • Bodossaki Foundation full Master scholarship 2015-2016
  • 1st ranked student in Master class 2016, and Bachelor class 2014. Awarded with the research grant ‘Omiros Kontoulis 2015’ Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean.

Education

PhD in Marine Geosciences, DSM Group, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany (2017 – 2024)
Thesis: “Deep-sea polymetallic nodules spatial modelling with machine learning algorithms and benthic plume monitoring.”
Grade: Excellent with highest praise (Summa Cum Laude, 0.7/5)

MSc in Integrated Coastal Management, Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, Greece (2015 – 2016) 
Thesis: “Investigating the potential of marine aggregate deposits around Lesvos Island.”
Grade: Excellent (9.04/10)

BSc in Marine Sciences, Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, Greece (2009 – 2014)
Thesis: “Recent sedimentation processes in the subaqueous part of Pinios Delta.”
Grade: Excellent (8.60/10)