Several surveys of the R/V OGS Explora highlight the presence of coral structures and mud volcanoes in the Otranto Channel. The OCSS15 project, produced highresolution chirp profiles, multibeam swath bathymetry and medium-resolution multi-channel seismic reflection lines, as well as sampling by gravity corer and grab. These data have integrated pre-existing seismic profiles to analyse the potential seabed habitats (e.g. mounds and pockmark-associated coral reefs), the submarine structures (e.g. mud volcanoes, pockmarks, etc.), the shallow sediment layers and gas seeps features like bright spots and other acoustic evidence of gas migration through some micro-fractures.
