MCA CHP 2025: Seabed Backscatter and Samples from Cape Wrath to Stoer Head

Acoustic backscatter mosaics and seabed samples collected by the UK's Civil Hydrography Programme in 2025. Data from the HI1724 survey area between Cape Wrath and Stoer Head was verified by the UK Hydrographic Office. The British Geological Survey published this dataset in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Classify seabed substrate types based on acoustic backscatter mosaics.
• Map natural seabed features based on provided shapefiles.
• Validate remote sensing data with physical seabed samples and images.

Strengths

• Data is verified by the authoritative UK Hydrographic Office.
• Includes multiple data types: mosaics, physical samples, images, and shapefiles.
• Survey area is clearly defined as the HI1724 region from Cape Wrath to Stoer Head.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS)

Collection Method

Collected via multiple survey platforms using a Kongsberg EM 2040D multibeam echosounder as part of the Civil Hydrography Programme.

Time Range

2025

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 08:30:08.873996; freshness should be verified.

Geography

HI1724 survey area from Cape Wrath to Stoer Head, UK waters.