BMRG06MV: Bathymetry Survey from Fremantle to Port Hedland, 1996

A bathymetry dataset acquired by Bishop Museum, Hawaii and the University of California San Diego onboard the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Research Vessel Melville from February 22 to April 13, 1996. The survey used the Seabeam 2000 sonar system while transiting from Fremantle to Port Hedland. The dataset contains 128m-210m resolution, 32-bit geotiffs processed using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software.

Use Cases

• Analyze seafloor topography and morphology based on bathymetric survey data.
• Model underwater geological features based on high-resolution sonar measurements.
• Study changes in ocean floor structure along a transit route.
• Integrate historical bathymetry data with modern surveys for comparative analysis.
• Visualize underwater terrain for educational or research purposes based on geotiff imagery.

Strengths

• Survey conducted by reputable institutions (Bishop Museum, UCSD/SIO).
• Data processed using specialized software (CARIS HIPS and SIPS).
• Resolution details are specified (128m-210m, 32-bit geotiffs).
• Exact acquisition dates and vessel are documented.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic/temporal bias inherent to a single 1996 survey.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, original scientists John Orcutt, Marine Geoscience Data System.

Collection Method

Acquired via Seabeam 2000 sonar system onboard R/V Melville.

Time Range

February 22 to April 13, 1996.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-05 01:30:12.404580; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Southeast Indian Ridge, transit from Fremantle to Port Hedland.