MCA CHP 2024: Morecambe Bay Seabed Backscatter and Sample Data

Acoustic Backscatter mosaics, H575 seabed samples, and images collected for the UK's Civil Hydrography Programme in 2024. Data from the Morecambe Bay Approaches area was verified by the UK Hydrographic Office, collected by vessels Northern Storm and Lode using a Kongsberg EM 2040D multibeam echosounder. The dataset is provided by the British Geological Survey and was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Model seabed sediment types based on acoustic backscatter intensity mosaics.
• Analyze seabed texture and composition using physical H575 grab samples.
• Validate remote sensing data with ground-truth sample images.
• Map bathymetric features and hazards for nautical chart updates.

Strengths

• Data is verified by the authoritative UK Hydrographic Office.
• Includes multiple complementary data types: mosaics, physical samples, and images.
• Collection methodology is specified, involving named vessels and a Kongsberg EM 2040D sensor.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file sizes are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS), collected for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Civil Hydrography Programme.

Collection Method

Marine survey using vessels Northern Storm and Lode equipped with a Kongsberg EM 2040D multibeam echosounder.

Time Range

2024

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 08:29:45.666134; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Morecambe Bay Approaches, UK coastal waters.