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The researchers on board the Southern Surveyor are receiving detailed vision of the seabed provided by a new stereo video camera array. This consists of a pair of digital video cameras housed in cases designed to withstand water pressures to depths of 2000 metres.

The cameras are controlled electronically from the ship and video a two-square-metre area of the seafloor. A system of floats, weights and a trailing chain keeps the camera two metres from the bottom, and laser beams help the researchers to interpret its picture.

These still images of the seafloor were captured from video footage taken during leg 2 of the voyage.