NOAA Okeanos Explorer Sonar Data from New England Seamounts Expedition

Sonar data collected during the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer EX1404L1 expedition in the North Atlantic Ocean. The dataset includes multibeam, single beam, and subbottom sonar readings, along with XBT casts, gathered to characterize the New England Seamount chain. Data collection occurred from August 9 to August 30, 2014, under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Use Cases

• Baseline characterization of seamount bathymetry using multibeam and splitbeam sonar data.
• Filling gaps in existing ECS (East Coast Sediment) data through exploration mapping during transits.
• Analyzing subbottom profiles to investigate geological structures beneath the seafloor.
• Studying oceanographic conditions via XBT (Expendable Bathythermograph) casts conducted at 3-4 hour intervals.

Strengths

• Continuous 24-hour data collection provides a consistent temporal record.
• Expedition targeted specific geographic features (New England Seamount chain) for focused mapping.
• Dataset is hosted on multiple authoritative platforms (Data.gov, NASA EarthData), indicating established provenance.

Limitations

• Conflicting last updated dates exist: Data.gov shows 2026-04-01, while NASA EarthData shows 2014-08 30.
• No column names, row counts, or file sizes are provided on any platform, limiting technical assessment.
• Specific data formats beyond HTML are not detailed, potentially complicating direct analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Data collected via ship-based multibeam, single beam, subbottom sonar, and XBT casts during the EX1404L1 expedition.

Time Range

2014-08-09 to 2014-08-30

Freshness

2026-04-01 15:06:27.438677

Geography

North Atlantic Ocean, specifically the New England Seamount chain