Advancements in Global Seafloor Mapping Highlighted at UN Ocean Conference

Advancements in Global Seafloor Mapping Highlighted at UN Ocean Conference
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 11, 2024
Recent submarine incidents with uncharted seamounts underscore the urgent need for comprehensive seafloor mapping. A recent study revealed 19,000 new seamounts, bringing the total to approximately 43,000 known structures taller than 1,000 meters. Despite this, a vast majority remain unmapped.

Bathymetry, the science of measuring the depth of water bodies, plays a crucial role in creating accurate nautical charts. This discipline is not only vital for navigational safety but also crucial for understanding ocean currents, climate models, geological hazards, resource exploration, and marine conservation efforts.

Currently, only about 25% of the seafloor is mapped with high-resolution using ship-borne echosounders, capable of detailed mappings at 10m resolution. Alternative methods like satellite altimetry offer broader coverage but lack the resolution to detect smaller features, useful only for identifying larger-scale structures.

Professor Dr Lars Rupke, head of the Seafloor Modeling Group at GEOMAR, emphasized the critical importance of ship-based surveys for detailed mapping. He advocates for integrating data collected during research vessel transits to enhance seamount mapping efforts systematically.

In line with enhancing global seafloor mapping, Dr Rupke shared, our vision is to achieve a comprehensive and openly accessible seafloor map by 2030. This goal aligns with the ambitions of the global Seabed 2030 project and was highlighted during the United Nations Conference on the Decade of the Ocean in Barcelona, where GEOMAR and Seabed 2030 signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on this initiative.

Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of GEOMAR, highlighted the importance of data sharing for successful international cooperation. The agreement with Seabed 2030 marks a significant milestone towards realizing the objectives of the UN Decade of the Oceans which aims to protect and sustainably use marine resources.

Jamie McMichael-Phillips, Director of Seabed 2030, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with GEOMAR, noting the strengthened collaboration with their extensive science team and the German research fleet enhances the global ocean mapping community and supports the GEBCO mission.