Biography

Susanth graduated with a Master's in Marine Geophysics from Andhra University in 2013. Soon after graduation, he was employed with Fugro Survey India as a Field Geophysicist for 2 years and 10 months. Between 2016 to 2022, Susanth worked as a Project Scientist at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Govt. of India mainly dealing with hydrographic data acquisition, processing, quality checks, and report writing. His research activity during this period focused on the geomorphology, geohazards, and seabed characterization of the Indian Continental Margin. He has participated in nine scientific expeditions (5 cruises as Chief Scientist). In total, he has around 500 days of offshore experience in Indian Oil fields (< 100m water depth) and the EEZ Mapping program (> 500m water depth). Through close association with various projects, he has developed hands-on experience in data acquisition, processing, and interpretation of Multibeam Echosounder, Sidescan Sonar, Sub-bottom profiler, 2D UHR seismic, and magnetic data.

Research Interests

Currently, Susanth is a Ph.D. researcher as part of the Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) between University College Cork and the University of Plymouth. This project will establish UCC-UoP research capacities to turn acoustic data into policy-relevant and development information that will de-risk marine development on the Celtic Sea co-governed by Ireland and the UK.

The Celtic Sea, between SE Ireland and SW England, is a key area for the future development of renewable energy and aggregate resource by the Irish and UK governments. Significant industry attention is given to wind farm development in the Irish Celtic Sea, for fixed and floating wind farms. Its seabed geomorphology and near-surface geology are critical to engineering and extraction plans, as well as informing on ecological habitat mitigation. Surprisingly, its seabed geomorphology lacks detailed and comprehensive characterization using modern methods, which forms the focus of his Ph.D. His research will accordingly develop and apply high-resolution digital seafloor geomorphological mapping approaches. Mapping outputs will be integrated with existing geophysical and geotechnical engineering datasets to construct 3D sea floor ground models for use by engineers, habitat ecologists, and other net zero and blue economy stakeholders. 

His interests include:

• Geophysical data integration
• Seabed characterization techniques
• Seismic interpretation

Publications

Susanth S., Kurian P.J., Bijesh C.M., Twinkle D., Abhishek Tyagi., Rajan S., (2021) Controls on the evolution of submarine canyons in steep continental slopes: geomorphological insights from Palar Basin, southeastern margin of India. Geo-Marine Letters, 41:14 (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00367-021-00685-9)

Susanth S., Kurian P.J., Twinkle D., Bijesh C. M., Abhishek Tyagi., (2021) Potential submarine landslide zones off Chennai, Southeast Continental Margin of India. Regional Studies in Marine Sciences, 45:101832 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101832)

Bijesh C.M., Twinkle D., Susanth S., John Kurian P., (2022) Large scale submarine landslide in the Cochin offshore region, southwestern continental margin of India; a preliminary geophysical understanding. Landslides (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10346-022-01969-6)

Susanth S., Tyson Sebastian., Mohammed Shafeeq B., John Kurian P., Imprints of post-glacial sea-level changes in the Visakhapatnam Bay (VB) basin: first documentation from multibeam bathymetry data (Under Review: Geo-Marine Letters)

Susanth S., Bijesh C.M., Vadakkepuliyambatta S., John Kurian P., The Quilon Slide Complex (QSC): regional scale submarine landslides on the southwestern continental margin of India (Under Review: Marine Geophysical Research