Data Acquisition

How to run a survey!

Add / modify topics as needed.

Planning

Where do you want to survey?

Finding existing data

Links to data repositories and planning resources

1. GMRT resources - only processed data is published to this grid; GMRT includes much more than bathymetry
2. GEBCO - download grids with or without satellite altimetry mask
3. IHO Data Centre for Digital Bathymetry - find out where industry and other non-public data exists
4. NCEI Bathymetry Viewer - most of the data in this mosaic is not processed--user beware
5. EMODnet Bathymetry - data for the European region; can also find out where non-public data exists and make inquiries for access
6. SCUFN How to determine if a feature has already been named, or to submit a name for a new seafloor feature!

Planning tools

1. NOAA Tides & Currents
2. GMRT Map Tool - helpful for locating/downloading background data for planning maps, Fledermaus visualizations, etc.
3. SmartMap - sound speed forecasting and line planning web service
4. Coordinate Systems - find the espg code for a given coordinate system (useful for QPS, ESRI, etc.)
5. Coordinate Conversion - handy for converting between geographic and UTM for single points
6. UNH Map Portal - a library of web map applications for background data products, also available to integrate with ESRI Arc Pro/Online
7. Mapshaper - quick conversions of line planning file formats

Coverage

Assessing expected coverage and time estimates

Acquisition

Sound speed

See the Sound Speed page for all the nerdy details!

Runtime parameters

Recommended settings for typical surveys

Watchstanding

Duties, checklists, things for watchstanders to... watch...

Processing

Recommendations for minimum required processing effort underway to ensure data quality

See the Data Processing page for further details on processing practices.

Metadata

Data is only as good as it is described. It is recommended to provide an Acquisition or Cruise Report with each survey that details information about the mission, what was completed, what was discovered or achieved.

Examples

1. EX-21-01 Mapping Data Acquisition and Processing Summary Report
2. Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute Data Management Plan