Bathymetry and Ice edge data

Topography and Ice Edge Data



Merged IBCAO/ETOPO5 Topography:



The topography we have used is part of the dataset of Merged IBCAO/ETOPO5 Topography; originally created for use in the Arctic Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (AOMIP).

The IBCAO - International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean project was initiated to construct a modern, high resolution (2.5km) digital data base containing all available bathymetric data north of 64N. Until the release of this chart, the best available data was the World Ocean Elevation Data (ETOPO5) dataset. This is at a lower resolution (10km), using data merged from a number of sources on a 5 minute grid.

Unfortunately the IBCAO bathymetry is only available north of 64N. To extend the dataset further south we needed to also include ETOPO5 data. These data sets have been merged by Professor David Holland at the Centre for Atmospheric and Ocean Studies in the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. The major difficulty is that the IBCAO data is on a polar stereographic projection grid and ETOPO5 is on a spherical coordinate grid. Professor Holland has meshed the data sets to form one single data set in spherical coordinates on a 5 minute grid. There is therefore some loss in resolution of the IBCAO data, but the advantage is to extend the dataset further south.

Jakobsson,M., N.Z. Cherkis, J. Woodward, R.Macnab, and B. Coakley.
New grid of Arctic bathymetry aids scientists and mapmakers;
Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, volume 81, number 9, February 29, 2000.


Ice Edge data:

Ice edge positions were determined using archive data provided by the National Ice Centre. This is an american multi-agency center representing the Department of Defense (Navy), the Department of Commerce (NOAA), and the Department of Transportation (Coast Guard). The NIC provides worldwide operational sea ice analyses and forecasts. This forms a key part of the US contribution to international global climate and ocean observing systems. An archive of edge text files is available for both the Arctic and Antarctic regions.



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