Megafauna composition in Aurora seamount and hydrothermal vent field (High Arctic) identified during the 'HACON expedition 2019' with the RV Kronprins Haakon (cruise no. 2019708)

The dataset presented here was collected during the HACON19 research cruise onboard of the Research Vessel (RV) Kronprins Haakon, as part the international HACON project (Hot vents in an ice-covered ocean: the role of the Arctic as a connectivity pathway between ocean basins). This campaign used the Ocean Floor Observation and Bathymetry System (OFOBS), which is a towed underwater sled equipped with high-resolution still and video cameras.

This dataset provides density data (individuals per square meter) for benthic megafauna (organisms greater than 2 cm) inhabiting the Aurora Seamount, its hydrothermal vent field, and surrounding areas. The data were collected between October 1 and October 15, 2019. In addition to the biological density measurements, the dataset includes environmental context information such as observation depth and substrate type.