Digital terrain model (DTM) of the central Fram Strait

Based on data from R/V Polarstern multibeam sonar surveys between 1984 and 1997 a high resolution bathymetry has been generated for the central Fram Strait. The area ensonified covers approx. 36,500 sqkm between 78°N-80°N and 0°E-7.5°E. Basic outcome of the investigation is a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) with 100 m grid spacing which was utilized for contouring and generation of a new series of bathymetric charts (AWI BCFS).

Terrain model of the eastern slope of the Porcupine Seabight (50 m grid size)

The topography of the eastern margin of the Porcupine Seabight was surveyed in June 2000 utilizing swath bathymetry. The survey was carried out during RV Polarstern cruise ANT XVII/4 as part of the GEOMOUND project. The main objective was to map and investigate the seafloor topography of this region. The investigated area contains a variability of morphological features such as deep sea channels and giant mounds. The survey was planned and realized on the basis of existing data so as to guarantee the complete coverage of the margin. In order to achieve a resolution of the final digital terrain model (DTM) that meets the project demands, data processing was adjusted accordingly. The grid spacing of the DTM was set to 50 m and an accuracy better than 1% of the water depth was achieved for 96% of the soundings.

Bathymetry grids and maps of Mozambique Ridge compiled from cruises 64PE305, 64PE306, SO-87, SO-182, SO-183, ME-33/2, ME-63/1 bathymetry

Based on data from R.V. Pelagia, R.V. Sonne and R.V. Meteor multibeam sonar surveys, a high resolution bathymetry was generated for the Mozambique Ridge. The mapping area is divided into five sheets, one overview and four sub-sheets. The boundaries are (west/east/south/north): Sheet 1: 28°30' E/37°00' E/36°20' S/24°50' S; Sheet 2: 32°45' E/36°45' E/28°20' S/25°20' S; Sheet 3: 31°30' E/36°45' E/30°20' S/28°10' S; Sheet 4: 30°30' E/36°30' E/33°15' S/30°15' S; Sheet 5: 28°30' E/36°10' E/36°20' S/33°10' S. Each sheet was generated twice: one from swath sonar bathymetry only, the other one is completed with depths from ETOPO2 predicted bathymetry. Basic outcome of the investigation are Digital Terrain Models (DTM), one for each sheet with 0.05 arcmin (~91 meter) grid spacing and one for the entire area (sheet 1) with 0.1 arcmin grid spacing. The DTM's were utilized for contouring and generating maps. The grid formats are NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) and ASCII (ESRI ArcGIS exchange format). The Maps are formatted as jpg-images and as small sized PNG (Portable Network Graphics) preview images. The provided maps have a paper size of DIN A0 (1189 x 841 mm).

Bathymetry grids and maps of Mozambique Basin compiled from cruise SO183 bathymetry

Based on data from R/V Sonne multibeam sonar surveys in 2005 a high resolution bathymetry was generated for the Mozambique Basin. The area covers approx. 466,475 sqkm. The mapping area is divided into four sheets with boundaries (west/east/south/north): Sheet I (north-west), 37:00/39:45/-24:00/-20:20; Sheet II (north-east), 39:45/42:30/-24:00/-20:20; Sheet III (south-west), 37:00/39:45/-27:40/-24:00; Sheet IV (south-east), 39:45/42:30/-27:40/-24:00. Basic outcome of the investigation are Digital Terrain Models (DTM), one for each sheet with 0.05 arcmin (~91 meter) grid spacing and one for the entire area with 0.1 arcmin grid spacing. The DTM's were utilized for contouring and generating maps. Moreover the measured bathymetry was combined and compared with GEBCO bathymetry and predicted bathymetry, derived from altimeter satellites. The provided maps have a paper size of DIN A0 (1188.9 x 841 mm).

Satellite image map of King George Island, Antarctica

A new topographic database for King George Island, one of the most visited areas in Antarctica, is presented. Data from differential GPS surveys, gained during the summers 1997/98 and 1999/2000, were combined with up to date coastlines from a SPOT satellite image mosaic, and topographic information from maps as well as from the Antarctic Digital Database. A digital terrain model (DTM) was generated using ARC/INFO GIS. From contour lines derived from the DTM and the satellite image mosaic a satellite image map was assembled. Extensive information on data accuracy, the database as well as on the criteria applied to select place names is given in the multilingual map. A lack of accurate topographic information in the eastern part of the island was identified. It was concluded that additional topographic surveying or radar interferometry should be conducted to improve the data quality in this area. In three case studies, the potential applications of the improved topographic database are demonstrated. The first two examples comprise the verification of glacier velocities and the study of glacier retreat from the various input data-sets as well as the use of the DTM for climatological modelling. The last case study focuses on the use of the new digital database as a basic GIS (Geographic Information System) layer for environmental monitoring and management on King George Island.

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder HS-DS2 data of the cruise M51/4 (2001)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during M51-4 between 13.12.2001 and 28.12.2001 in the Black Sea. The purpose of the present-study was to sample sediments and the water columns of the nw/sw Black Sea and the E Marmara Sea to study a) a high resolution sediment records of Holocene climate, b) biogeochemical associated with deep anaerobic methane oxidation, and c) element cycling in the stratified water column. Bathymetric data (hydrosweep + parasound) was primarily used to choose appropriate sites for coring of undisturbed sediments. Samples were taken for future analyses of abundance and activity of bacteria, geochemistry and dating.

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder EM120 data of the cruise M72/3a and M72/3b (2007)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during M72-3 between 17.03.2007 and 23.04.2007 in the Black Sea. This cruise concentrated on interdisciplinary work on gas hydrates with a main focus on the gas hydrate transition zone in and below 750 m water depth. Gas hydrate environments have been studied in various geological settings, mainly of the eastern Black Sea. Origins, distributions and dynamics of methane and gas hydrates in sediments and also methane fluxes from the sediment to the water column have been the focus. Main working areas were the Sorokin Trough, an area south of the Kerch Strait and the Andrusov Ridge in Ukrainian waters and the Gudauta Ridge and Gurian Trough in Georgian waters.

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder ELAC BottomChart MkII data of the cruise POS317/3 (2004)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during POS317-3 between 19.09.2004 and 13.10.2004 in the Black Sea. This cruise concentrated on bathymetric mapping and mapping of gas seeps by hydro-acoustic detection of gas flares in the water column and the quantification of microbial turnover of gassy sediments and microbial mats. The major objective during POS317-3 was the characterization and identification of microorganisms involved in the anaerobic methane oxidation in the sediment and in microbial mats. As part of these investigations characteristic organic molecules will be identified, which can be used as biomarkers for anaerobic methane oxidizing microorganisms.

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder EM122 data of the cruise M84/2, off Kerch and the eastern Crimea (2011)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during M84-2 between 26.02.2011 and 02.04.2011 in the Black Sea. The aim of the cruise was to investigate the gas hydrate distribution in sediments of the Black Sea by using several coring technics. In addition to the coring activities the installed EM122 and the PARASOUND system were used to detect gas emissions in the water column and to map large areas of possible seep sites.

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder EM122 data of the cruise M84/2, off Georgia (2011)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during M84-2 between 26.02.2011 and 02.04.2011 in the Black Sea. The aim of the cruise was to investigate the gas hydrate distribution in sediments of the Black Sea by using several coring technics. In addition to the coring activities the installed EM122 and the PARASOUND system were used to detect gas emissions in the water column and to map large areas of possible seep sites.

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder EM120 data of the cruise M72/2 (2007)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during M72-2 between 23.02.2007 and 13.03.2007 in the Black Sea. The main focus of the cruise was to study the fluxes and turnover of methane and sulphur in the Black Sea hydrocarbon seep systems and investigating the microbial diversity in two contrasting permanently anoxic settings associated with fluid flow and gas seepage: the methane seeps at the shelf break of the Palaeo-Dnepr area and the hydrocarbon seeps of the mud volcanoes in the 2000 m deep Sorokin trough east of Crimea.

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder EM120 data of the cruise MSM15/1 (2011)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during MSM15-1 between 12.04.2010 and 08.05.2010 in the Black Sea. The aim of this cruise was to quantify the concentration and uptake of oxygen at the anoxic boundaries in the water column and at the sediment water interface of the Black Sea, in parallel with the measurement of nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and iron fluxes (HYPOX project).

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder EM710 data of the cruise M72/1 (2007)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during M72-1 between 07.02.2007 and 20.02.2007 in the Black Sea. The main focus of the cruise were gas vents and seeps in the north-western Black Sea below 700 m water depth which is the zone of gas hydrate stability. The main target area was the deep Dnepr Canyon west of the Crimea Peninsula where previous investigations had indicated the occurrence of gas seepage.

AWI Bathymetric Chart of the Fram Strait (BCFS) (Scale 1:100,000)

Based on data from R/V Polarstern multibeam sonar surveys between 1984 and 1997 a high resolution bathymetry has been generated for the central Fram Strait. The area ensonified covers approx. 36,500 sqkm between 78°N - 80°N and 0°E - 7.5°E. Basic outcome of the investigation is a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) with 100 m grid spacing which was utilized for contouring and generation of a new series of bathymetric charts at a scale of 1:100,000, the AWI Bathymetric Chart of the Fram Strait (AWI BCFS).