In 2023, expedition M192-2 aboard the RV METEOR discovered the White Seal-Hound hydrothermal structure. This unique feature is a positive seafloor structure, formed by shallow-water hydrothermal activity, located at approximately 185 meters water depth. Unlike deep-sea chimneys, such as white and black smokers, which rise vertically in the water column, the White Seal-Hound structure is a prominent overhang, predominantly white in colour and resembling a seal with the head of a floppy-eared dog. The White Seal-Hound structure was discovered and filmed during dive 75 of the ROV SQUID (MARUM) on 26 August 2023. Using photogrammetry techniques (Arnaubec et al., 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11050985), we reconstructed a 3D model of the structure and its surroundings from the ROV dive videos.

This dataset includes:- Textured 3D model (.obj mesh file and multiple .png texture files)- Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in GeoTIFF (.tif) format- Orthomosaic in GeoTIFF (.tif) formatThe 3D model is up-to-scale, allowing for spatial measurements directly on the model (units in meters). It can be displayed in open-source software like MeshLab (www.meshlab.net). Both the DEM and orthomosaic are in georeferenced GeoTIFF format, enabling direct import into any Geographic Information System (e.g., QGIS). The GeoTIFF files are georeferenced to WGS84 World Mercator projection (EPSG 3395), and the DEM elevation values are in meters. The DEM and orthomosaic data are available at both 1 cm and 2 mm resolutions.