Global Multi-Resolution Seafloor and Land Topography Synthesis

A continuously-updated compilation of seafloor topography derived from multibeam bathymetry data, merged with land topography from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. The synthesis began as the Ridge Multibeam Synthesis and has been expanded to include global and coastal ocean data. It is maintained by SCIOPS as a multi-resolution gridded digital elevation model.

Use Cases

• Analyzing seafloor bathymetry at ~100 m spatial resolution for geological feature identification.
• Merging multibeam bathymetry data with lower-resolution satellite predicted bathymetry for regional studies.
• Integrating coastal ocean topography with SRTM land elevation data for coastal zone management.
• Studying the Arctic Ocean using data merged from the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO).
• Investigating subglacial Antarctic topography via integration with the SCAR Subglacial Topographic Model (BEDMAP).

Strengths

• Provides ~100 m spatial resolution for both seafloor and merged land topography.
• Synthesis is continuously updated, incorporating new multibeam bathymetry data.
• Integrates data from multiple authoritative sources like SRTM, IBCAO, and BEDMAP.

Limitations

• Specific row count, column details, and total spatial coverage area are unknown.
• The resolution of merged lower-resolution compilations (e.g., satellite predicted bathymetry) is not specified.
• The exact update frequency and last update date are not provided.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS, incorporating data from multibeam surveys, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), Smith & Sandwell, IBCAO, and BEDMAP.

Collection Method

Compilation and merging of multibeam bathymetry data with other topographic datasets into a gridded digital elevation model.

Freshness

Continuously updated.

Geography

Global and coastal oceans, merged with global land topography.