Geology & Geophysics Group
GEBCO: Bathymetric mapping
The National Oceanography Centre Southampton is one of the principal locations in the United Kingdom for the compilation of contoured and gridded bathymetry. The main region of interest is the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Other regions of interest are the western Indian Ocean and the Falklands Plateau.
General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans - GEBCO
NOC hosts the position of the GEBCO Bathymetric Editor (contact: Colin Jacobs), who has a remit to study bathymetry affairs on the global scale. NOCS also hosts the GEBCO permanent Secretary, Prof. Bob Whitmarsh.
Recent products:
- A 1 minute resolution gridded bathymetry of the entire North Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas (0° - 66°N x 44°E - 98°W). This grid forms part of the global GEBCO gridded bathymetry due for release in April 2003 (completed with assistance from other organisations).
- A high-resolution gridded bathymetry of the continental shelf around the United Kingdom (completed with assistance from the UK Hydrographic Office).
Selected GEBCO maps are available to download - click here
Above: The Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Extracted from the GEBCO 1-minute Global Bathymetric Grid
SCOR Working Group 107 report
SCOR Working Group 107 on Improved Global Bathymetry was charged with:
- establishing the scientific needs for improved knowledge of ocean depths (i.e., what scientific problems need what measurements?);
- specifying the accuracy and resolution requirements needed in different geographical and research areas (e.g. identifying limitations and gaps to be filled);
- recommending actions and priorities (such as what parts of the oceans should be tackled first).
