EMODnet Geology has published a new Story Map on Seafloor Mapping, which shows the long process of geological mapping of the seafloor, interpretation of its results and the compilation of detail and overview map data. Finding and compiling spatial data of the seafloor is a challenge, because data and information on the seafloor is hardly findable, scattered, rarely compatible and often usable only by insiders. The main reason for this situation is the inaccessibility of the ocean floor and the need to use and rely on mostly geophysical methods. EMODnet is a leading European resource for marine geological data and data products – check out this latest communication to learn more!
EMODnet Geology has published a new Story Map on Seafloor Mapping, which shows the laborious, costly and time-consuming process of geological mapping of the seafloor, the interpretation of the results and the compilation of detail and overview map data as it is being done for the seafloor mapping workpackage in EMODnet Geology. Mapping, finding and compiling spatial data of the seafloor is a considerable challenge, because data and information on the seafloor is hardly findable, scattered, rarely compatible and often usable only by insiders. The main reason for this situation is the inaccessibility of the ocean floor and the need to use and rely on mostly geophysical methods. This Story Map highlights the age and rock type of seafloor geology rocks and their surrounding geomorphology, the submarine echosounder mapping method, and features from marine regions such as Iceland's North Coast and the English Channel.
It is an enormous achievement by our EMODnet partner organisations to map the seafloor in such detail. These excellent “field” mapping results are the base of the comprehensive EMODnet Geology map layers you can find on the EMODnet Portal, says Kristine Asch, BGR, lead workpackage “Seafloor Geology”.
Mapping of the Seafloor by multibeam echosounder ©Picture with kind permission of SGU, Alexander Bäckström, Swedish Geological Survey, SGU
Learn more: EMODnet geology