Shallow Seabed Bathymetry of St. Thomas and St. John

168.1 square kilometers of LiDAR bathymetric surface data were collected for shallow seabeds around St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Fugro LADS, NOAA, the University of New Hampshire, and the National Park Service acquired the data during thirteen sorties from January 29 to February 28, 2011. The dataset provides 3x3 meter resolution depth and seafloor reflectivity measurements.

Use Cases

• Model coastal erosion and sediment transport using 3x3 meter resolution bathymetry depth values.
• Classify seafloor habitats by combining bathymetry data with relative seafloor reflectivity and hyperspectral imagery.
• Create nautical charts by analyzing depth values referenced to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW).
• Assess underwater infrastructure sites using the high-resolution 3x3 meter spot spacing and 200% seabed coverage.

Strengths

• 168.1 square kilometers of area coverage provides a substantial spatial sample.
• Data has high spatial resolution with 3x3 meter spot spacing and 200% seabed coverage.
• Depth values are precisely referenced to the Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) tidal datum.

Limitations

• Data is temporally limited to a one-month acquisition period in early 2011.
• Coverage is restricted to depths between 0 and 40 meters, excluding deeper waters.
• Daily data acquisition was influenced by environmental factors like water clarity and cloud cover, potentially causing gaps.

Provenance

Source

Fugro LADS, NOAA's NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography Branch, University of New Hampshire, National Park Service.

Collection Method

Acquired via airborne LADS Mark II Laser Airborne Depth Sounder and Hyspex VNIR-1600 hyperspectral sensor from altitudes of 1,200-2,200 ft.

Time Range

2011-01-29 to 2011-02-28

Freshness

null

Geography

Shallow seabed surrounding St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, in UTM Zone 20N NAD83.