[Link to USGS home page]
U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 171
HOME
INTRODUCTION
SONAR DATA
DIVE AND SAMPLING LOCATIONS
SEISMIC DATA
CRUISE REPORTS
RELATED LINKS
Sonar Data
This digital database was compiled with ESRI ArcInfo version 7.2.2 and ArcGIS 9.0. The files contain multibeam bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data in ArcInfo grid format: ArcInfo-compatible GIS software is therefore required to use the files of this database. The bathymetry data were collected by SEABEAM® 2112 hull-mounted multibeam sonar with shipboard GPS navigation. During collection the data was adjusted in real-time for ship motion, including yaw, pitch, and heading. Bathymetric data were edited using MB-System software to remove anomalous soundings and excise pings recorded during large course changes. The data were then gridded at approximately 150-meter bin spacing and imported as an ASCII text file into ArcInfo. Each ArcInfo grid file is stored individually in a compressed folder, accessible from the list below.

The acoustic backscatter ("seafloor reflectivity") data were collected simultaneously with the bathymetry, using the same SEABEAM® 2112 multibeam sonar. The acoustic backscatter data were processed using guidelines provided in MB-System software and were then gridded by cruise leg at approximately 150-meter bin spacing and imported as an ASCII text file into ArcInfo. The acoustic backscatter data were gridded by year and/or cruise leg to preserve as many sonar look angles as possible. Each ArcInfo grid file is stored individually in a compressed folder, accessible from the list below

The processed multibeam sonar data files are archived with the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) and can be downloaded from the NGDC website.

Available ArcInfo grids are descried below. Each zip file contains the respective ArcInfo grid file and associated metadata. The gridded data are also available as large-format printable posters at the bottom of the page.

  Data   PDF Metadata Download
Multibeam Bathymetry
1998-2002		 [Link to pdf containing data collected] Bathymetry metadata bathymetry98-02.zip
Acoustic Backscatter 1998 Legs 1 and 2 [Link to pdf containing data collected] Backscatter 1998 metadata backscatter1998.zip
Acoustic Backscatter 1999 Leg 1 [Link to pdf containing data collected] Backscatter 1999 Leg 1 metadata backscatter99-07.zip
Acoustic Backscatter 1999 Leg 2 [Link to pdf containing data collected] Backscatter 1999 Leg 2 metadata backscatter99-08.zip
Acoustic Backscatter 2001 Leg 1 [Link to pdf containing data collected] Backscatter 2001 Leg 1 metadata backscatter01-01.zip
Acoustic Backscatter 2001 Leg 2 [Link to pdf containing data collected] Backscatter 2001 Leg 2 metadata backscatter01-02.zip
Acoustic Backscatter 2002 Leg 1 [Link to pdf containing data collected] Backscatter 2002 Leg 1 metadata backscatter02-04.zip
Acoustic Backscatter 2002 Leg 2 [Link to pdf containing data collected] Backscatter 2002 Leg 2 metadata backscatter02-05.zip
   Printable Posters
  Multibeam Bathymetry 1998 - 2001 (with contours)
Multibeam Bathymetry 1998 - 2001 (without contours)
Oblique View of the Hawaiian Islands
Acoustic Backscatter 1998 Legs 1&2
Acoustic Backscatter 1999 Leg 1
Acoustic Backscatter 1999 Leg 2
Acoustic Backscatter 2001 Leg 1
Acoustic Backscatter 2001 Leg 2
Acoustic Backscatter 2002 Leg 1
Acoustic Backscatter 2002 Leg 2
2006

U.S. Department of the Interior
Gale A. Norton, Secetary
U.S. Geological Survey
P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

sonar-data.html