Seabed coming soon in 3D

A 3D image of the seabed off the north of Scotland is to be created to help identify marine habitats of high conservation value.

Waters around Noss Head near Wick and the Southern Trench, a deep underwater channel in the outer Moray Firth, will be surveyed by marine scientists. The information will be used to advise the Scottish Government on conservation and development in the marine environment.

Staff from Scottish Natural Heritage, the British Geological Survey and the Northern Lighthouse Board will use acoustic multi-beam survey techniques to create a 3D image of the seabed. The area around the Southern Trench, which is frequently visited by minke whales, features a deep and distinctive gouge in the seabed, formed during the last ice age.

The exploration was due to begin yesterday and will be completed in September.