Seabed Morphology Features Glossary Version 2 for Marine Classification

Version 2 of a seabed morphology glossary updates the 2016 scheme by Dove et al. The glossary provides standardized definitions and schematic diagrams for seabed features, drawn primarily from the IHO guide and modified by an international collaboration. It was published in 2020 by marine scientists from programs in Norway, Ireland, the UK, and Australia.

Use Cases

• Standardizing seabed feature classification based on the provided glossary definitions.
• Training machine learning models for automated seabed morphology identification based on feature schematics.
• Supporting marine habitat mapping and analysis using the consistent terminology.
• Integrating seabed classification data from different international mapping programs.

Strengths

• Glossary is the result of an international collaboration between four national marine mapping programs.
• Feature definitions are drawn from the authoritative IHO guide for undersea feature names.
• Includes representative schematic diagrams for each glossary entry to support clear classification.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

Collaboration between marine geoscientists from MAREANO (Norway), INFOMAR (Ireland), MAREMAP (UK), and Geoscience Australia (MIM-GA).

Collection Method

Feature terms and definitions primarily drawn and modified from the IHO guide, augmented with additional terms.

Time Range

2020 (publication of Version 2).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 18:45:36.270243; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global, intended for international seabed classification.