DETAILED MEXICAN GULF SHELF INVESTIGATION S BY MEANS OF UNDERWATER VEHICLES

Scientific and technological results of detailed geomorphological rese arch carried out over a vast (600 sq. km) bottom region at Campeche sh oal in the Mexican gulf are analyzed. Side looking sonar mapping techn ology was used for bottom studies. Sonar data identification was carri ed out by means of visual, TV and photo observations from board of man ned submersibles ''MIR-1'', ''MIR-2'' and towed vehicle ''Zvuk-M''. Da ta processing with the help of RASTR-S computer system made possible t o synthesize bottom surface geomorphological scheme in an autumatic mo de. The geomorphological research technologe proved to be efficient.