R 7 R 9 B S S All sites from all global ORION conceptual proposals in The 3 most coordinated proposals were derived from OceanSITES efforts.

CRITERIA used for site selections: - high value and impact to many disciplines - building a NETWORK, not just collection of single sites - review process/results - contribution to acoustic network on basin-scale (either complete or to leverage additional acoustic sites) - avoid very remote locations since shiptime has to come from OOI - use SPAR buoys only where really necessary for the science - use acoustic rather than EOM moorings where sufficient (saves hardware, ROV, shiptime and shipsize) BUT - want to demonstrate and gain experience with EOM moorings early in the project - have at least 1 mid-latitude SPAR site - reach the goal of 1 high-latitude SPAR site toward end of period

PHASING: Start with small number of sites that can demonstrate early in the project the capabilities being built, the technologies available, the value and impact; also with sites that can give guidance for future developments (gathering experience). No SPAR technology available so early in project. Most sites need a surface mooring for communication with seafloor network, possibly power, met sensors, PLUS a subsurface mooring with biogeochemical profilers in upper ocean, and a modest seafloor network. - 5 of the most highly ranked multi-community interest sites: one mid-latitude, one high-latitude, one EOM, one with established timeseries and infrastructure, one with international coordination

Global strawman design EOM Total capital and install cost estimate 10Mio$

Over following years, phase in additional sites: - only 1 intensive RIDGE type seafloor network with SPAR buoy can be afforded. Offer 6Mio$ to RIDGE community for ONE site, either Lucky Strike (Mid Atlantic Ridge), or 9N (East Pacific Rise) - install a high-latitude SPAR at Southern Ocean Site off Chile (high-priority site for many communities) and move the acoustic discus mooring from there to western South Pacific - complete Pacific Basin network and expand North Atlantic, taking into account European efforts there

Global strawman design A A A A B B B B B B Chile moves to New Zealand in Phase B B A

Global strawman design A A A A A B B B B B Chile moves to New Zealand in Phase B B Total capital and install cost estimate 37Mio$ B C C C C

Global strawman design B

OceanSITES action: - Note: no transport sites, those fit better into NOAA interests - how much can locations be moved for optimizing acoustic paths - where is international coordination necessary/desirable ? How ? (purposely left out sites with dominating presence by other countries, e.g. PAP, but also included some where coordination is desirable/expected like equatorial Atlantic, Irminger Sea) - any feedback on the process/proposal ?