Bathychronology: Reconstructing Historical Sedimentation from Bathymetric Data in a GIS

Map illustrating a sample surfaceage grid generated from the horizongrids computer program (from figure 8).

A collection of computer programs designed to reconstruct a sediment age profile from a time series of bathymetric data in a GIS are presented. The programs utilize an approach called Bathychronology, a technique used to synthesize sediment gains/losses from the time series of bathymetric changes and divide historical deposition into temporal horizons that are separated by survey dates. The application of these programs as tools to reconstruct the profile of a sediment core, map the distribution of horizons from particular time periods, or map the distribution of sediment ages across a surface are discussed. The programs were developed using a historical time series of bathymetric data for San Pablo Bay, California, however, the logic and proper usage of each program are presented for users to apply the programs to other data sets.