ESONET: toward an European network of excellence on subsea observatories

ESONET proposes a network of sea floor observatories around the European Ocean Margin from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea for strategic long term monitoring as part of a GMES with capability in geophysics, geotechnics, chemistry, biochemistry, oceanography, biology and fisheries. Long-term data collection and alarm capability in the event of hazards (e.g. earthquakes) will be considered. ESONET will be developed from networks in key areas where there is industrial sea floor infrastructure, scientific/conservation significance (e.g. coral mounds) or sites suitable for technology trials (e.g. deep water close to land).