Gulf of Mexico Oceanographic and Bathymetric Survey Data

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer collected continuous bathymetry, sub-bottom profiles, and water column backscatter during the EX1402L2 expedition. The dataset aims to detail biological habitats and improve understanding of mid-water and deepwater ecological connections. It was gathered in the Gulf of Mexico from March 19 to April 4, 2014, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Use Cases

• Mapping biological habitats using seafloor backscatter and bathymetry data.
• Analyzing ecological connections between water column and deepwater communities using backscatter profiles.
• Studying sub-surface geological structures with sub-bottom profile data.
• Investigating oceanographic conditions via XBT (Expendable Bathythermograph) cast data collected at intervals not exceeding 6 hours.

Strengths

• Data collection was continuous, operating 24 hours a day during the expedition.
• Multiple complementary sensor types were deployed, including multibeam, single beam, and sub-bottom profilers.
• Expedition targeted specific, scientifically requested areas: the continental shelf, Claypile Bank, and south of Flower Garden Banks NMS.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, with one listing 2014-04-04 and another listing a future date of 2026-04-01.
• The license and detailed authorship information are unknown.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Ship-based survey using multibeam, single beam, sub-bottom profilers, and XBT casts.

Time Range

2014-03 19 to 2014-04-04

Freshness

2026-04-01 15:03:38.117021

Geography

Gulf of Mexico, specifically the continental shelf, Claypile Bank, and area south of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.