Head:
Dr. Johannes Karstensen
GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
Wischhofstr. 1-3
24148 Kiel
Tel.: +49 431 600 4156
Karstensen, Johannes
Seagoing Infrastructure
Research vessels are indispensable for the in-situ exploration of the ocean. The knowledge gained from seagoing expeditions contributes to a better understanding of the biological, physical, geological and chemical processes in the ocean. They help scientists to develop better strategies against the impact of climate change, to develop economically effective and environmentally friendly uses of marine resources, and to better predict ocean-based hazards. GEOMAR manages and coordinates two ships: the research vessel ALKOR and the research cutter LITTORINA.
GEOMAR owns a high-performance infrastructure of underwater vehicles. These include two remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV KIEL 6000 and ROV PHOCA) as well as various autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Furthermore, the TLZ is the home of a large number of innovative ship-based and autonomous observing systems as well as measuring and experimental platforms run by the individual research units of GEOMAR. Examples of these systems are the Kiel Off-Shore Mesocosms for Ocean Simulations (KOSMOS), oceanographic moorings, one of the largest glider fleets in Europe, deep-sea observatories (landers) and the mapping and observatory instruments of the Marine Geodynamics.
