Canadian Hydrographic Service Non-Navigational Intensity Data for Seafloor Analysis

The Canadian Hydrographic Service offers a collection of backscatter intensity image data products derived from multibeam echo sounder and LiDAR surveys. Intensity data, recorded in decibels (dB), is provided in 10-metre or 100-metre spatial resolution packages for non-navigational use. The data is made available by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with a last recorded update in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Classifying seafloor sediment types based on backscatter intensity values.
• Identifying hard, rocky substrates versus softer mud deposits from intensity imagery.
• Supporting environmental and ecosystem management decisions with seafloor geology maps.
• Analyzing surficial geology for commercial or scientific marine exploration projects.

Strengths

• Data is provided at two specific spatial resolutions: 10 metres and 100 metres.
• Products include both ASCII (x,y,dB) and GEOTIFF image formats for flexibility.
• Explicitly sourced from authoritative Canadian Hydrographic Service multibeam and LiDAR surveys.
• Last updated metadata indicates ongoing maintenance as of March 2026.

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.
• The CHS states the intensity data is 'collateral' and not fully normalized or ground-truthed.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS)

Collection Method

Derived from raw datagrams collected during multibeam echo sounder (MBES) and LiDAR bathymetric surveys.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-24 19:01:18.421859; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Canadian marine waters (implied from source organization)