1

2

11

11

8

5

13

R

7 R9

B

4

3

6S

S

All sites from all global ORION „conceptual proposals“ in 2005.The 3 most coordinated proposals were derived from OceanSITES efforts.

CRITERIA used for site selections:- high value and impact to many disciplines- building a NETWORK, not just collection of single sites- review process/results- contribution to acoustic network on basin-scale (either complete or to leverage additional acoustic sites)- avoid very remote locations since shiptime has to come from OOI- use SPAR buoys only where really necessary for the science- use acoustic rather than EOM moorings where sufficient (saves hardware, ROV, shiptime and shipsize)

BUT- want to demonstrate and gain experience with EOM moorings early in the project- have at least 1 mid-latitude SPAR site- reach the goal of 1 high-latitude SPAR site toward end of period

PHASING:

Start with small number of sites that can demonstrate early in the project the capabilities being built, the technologies available, the value and impact; also with sites that can give guidance for future developments (gathering experience).No SPAR technology available so early in project.

Most sites need a surface mooring for communication with seafloor network, possibly power, met sensors, PLUS a subsurface mooring with biogeochemical profilers in upper ocean, and a modest seafloor network.

- 5 of the most highly ranked multi-community interest sites: one mid-latitude, one high-latitude, one EOM, one with established timeseries and infrastructure, one with international coordination

Global strawman design

EOM

Total capital and install cost estimate 10Mio$

Over following years, phase in additional sites:

- only 1 intensive RIDGE type seafloor network with SPAR buoy can be afforded. Offer 6Mio$ to RIDGE community for ONE site, either Lucky Strike (Mid Atlantic Ridge), or 9N (East Pacific Rise)

- install a high-latitude SPAR at Southern Ocean Site off Chile (high-priority site for many communities) and move the acoustic discus mooring from there to western South Pacific

- complete Pacific Basin network and expand North Atlantic, taking into account European efforts there

Global strawman design

A

A

A

A

B

B

B B

B

B

Chile moves to New

Zealand in Phase B

B

A

Global strawman design

A

A

A

A

A

B

B

B B

B

Chile moves to New

Zealand in Phase B

B

Total capital and install cost estimate 37Mio$

B

C C

C

C

Global strawman design

B

OceanSITES action:

- Note: no transport sites, those fit better into NOAA interests

- how much can locations be moved for optimizing acoustic paths

- where is international coordination necessary/desirable ? How ? (purposely left out sites with dominating presence by other countries, e.g. PAP, but also included some where coordination is desirable/expected like equatorial Atlantic, Irminger Sea)

- any feedback on the process/proposal ?