Brazilian Navy starts new scientific mission

The Brazilian navy's hydroceanographic research vessel “Vital de Oliveira”, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and systems, set sail from Rio de Janeiro for a scientific mission in the Rio Grande Rise, part of the nation's “Blue Amazon” in the Western South Atlantic Ocean.

On board, 24 researchers will carry out research on geology, bathymetric sounding, shallow seismography, oceanography and meteorology, including the collection of samples at a depth of 4,800 meters. All data will be gathered at the National Oceanographic Data Bank.

The Rio Grande Rise, a submarine flat-topped plateau located about 650 nautical miles (1,200 km) off the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, is a prominent morphological feature, with high economic, mineral and energetic potential, giving it great strategic relevance.