Seafloor Mapping – the challenge of a truly global ocean bathymetry.

Wölfl, Anne-Cathrin , Snaith, Helen, Amirebrahimi, Sam, Devey, Colin W. , Dorschel, Boris, Ferrini, Vicki, Huvenne, Veerle A., Jakobsson, Martin, Jencks, Jennifer, Johnston, Gordon, Lamarche, Geoffroy, Mayer, Larry, Millar, David, Pedersen, Terje H., Picard, Kim, Reitz, Anja, Schmitt, Thierry, Visbeck, Martin , Weatherall, Pauline and Wigley, Rochelle (2019) Seafloor Mapping – the challenge of a truly global ocean bathymetry. Open Access Frontiers in Marine Science, 6 . Art.Nr. 283. DOI 10.3389/fmars.2019.00283.

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Abstract

Detailed knowledge of the shape of the seafloor is crucial to humankind. Bathymetry data is critical for safety of navigation and is used for many other applications. In an era of ongoing environmental degradation worldwide, bathymetry data (and the knowledge derived from it) play a pivotal role in using and managing the world’s oceans in a way that is in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 - conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
However, the vast majority of our oceans is still virtually unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored. Only a small fraction of the seafloor has been systematically mapped by direct measurement. The remaining bathymetry is predicted from satellite altimeter data, providing only an approximate estimation of the shape of the seafloor. Several global and regional initiatives are underway to change this situation. This paper presents a selection of these initiatives as best practice examples for bathymetry data collection, compilation and open data sharing as well as the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO (The General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans) Seabed 2030 Project that complements and leverages these initiatives and promotes international collaboration and partnership. Several non-traditional data collection opportunities are looked at that are currently gaining momentum as well as new and innovative technologies that can increase the efficiency of collecting bathymetric data. Finally, recommendations are given towards a possible way forward into the future of seafloor mapping and towards achieving the goal of a truly global ocean bathymetry.

Document Type: Article
Funder compliance: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/633211
Keywords: bathymetry, Seafloor, Mapping, GEBCO, Seabed 2030, SDG14
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > D-DIR Directorate
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-MUHS
NOC
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB1 Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics > FB1-PO Physical Oceanography
HGF-AWI
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: Yes
Publisher: Frontiers
Projects: AtlantOS, CLASS
Date Deposited: 22 May 2019 10:39
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2022 09:17
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/46776

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