Project Information
Project name
GREAT
Project full name
Greenland Spreading Zone: Exploring Extreme Habitats in Arctic Seamounts and Hydrothermal Vents
Disciplines (P08)
Biological oceanography
(DS01)
Chemical oceanography
(DS02)
Environment
(DS10)
Marine geology and Bathymetry
(DS04)
Physical oceanography
(DS03)
Summary incl. objectives
GREAT is a multidisciplinary research project investigating seamounts, hydrothermal vent systems, and associated benthic ecosystems in the southern Greenland Sea within the Greenland Exclusive Economic Zone. Using the research vessel Celtic Explorer and the UL MRE ROV, the project will combine high-resolution geophysical mapping with oceanographic measurements and ecological sampling. The main objectives are to map and characterize benthic habitats, identify biodiversity hot-spots and Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, investigate drivers and food-web dynamics, and assess genetic connectivity of Arctic deep-sea communities. The results will provide baseline data supporting marine conservation, spatial planning, and future Marine Protected Area development in Greenland waters.
Start Date
2026-08-13
End Date
2026-08-30
Lighthouse Region of interest
Atlantic-Artic
Keywords
Greenland Sea, Hydrothermal vents, Seamounts, Deep-sea biodiversity, Benthic habitats, Bathymetry, Marine conservation, Ecosystem connectivity
Researchers
Aki Vang Faroe Museum of Natural History Aqqaluk Sørensen Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Chris Yesson Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology Christian Sølbeck Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Diana Krawczyk Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Elaina O'Brien Irina Zhulay Institute of Marine Research Joyce Mulder Louise Allcock University of Galway Luigi Gallucci Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology Narissa Bax Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Steinunn Olafsdottir Marine and Freshwater Research Institute Tina Kutti Institute of Marine Research Tobias Vonnahme Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Yueqing Wang Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen