Northern Cascadia composite bathymetry. See the data release: Composite multibeam bathymetry surface of the northern Cascadia Margin offshore Washington.
Where can I find bathymetric data?
The USGS has made bathymetric surveys for many coastal areas and for a few selected rivers and lakes in the U.S., including Yellowstone Lake, Crater Lake, and Lake Tahoe. Information and data for some of those studies is on the USGS Maps of America's Submerged Lands website.
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is the primary source of bathymetric data for the world's oceans. See their Bathymetry website for information.
Related
Why is the ocean salty?
Oceans cover about 70 percent of the Earth's surface and about 97 percent of all water on and in the Earth is saline—there's a lot of salty water on our planet. By some estimates, if the salt in the ocean could be removed and spread evenly over the Earth’s land surface it would form a layer more than 500 feet (166 meters) thick, about the height of a 40-story office building. But, where did all...
Where can I get current sea-surface temperature data?
The USGS has studied sea-surface temperature in many areas around the globe; you can find publications from these studies in the USGS Publications Warehouse and by searching on the Internet. World maps and data are available from other agencies, particularly at the NOAA's Sea Surface Temperature , and at the JPL Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center. For specific data covering...
What is marine geology?
Geology is the study of the Earth. This includes how the Earth was formed, how the Earth has changed since it was formed, the materials that make up the Earth, and the processes that act on it. Marine Geology focuses on areas affected by our oceans including the deep ocean floor, the shallower slopes and shelves that surround the continents, and coastal areas like beaches and estuaries. USGS...
Northern Cascadia composite bathymetric map
Northern Cascadia composite bathymetry. See the data release: Composite multibeam bathymetry surface of the northern Cascadia Margin offshore Washington.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho. Image was created by Cindy Thatcher.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho. Image was created by Cindy Thatcher.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.
Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Alaska
Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Alaska, with colored regions showing the bathymetry in areas mapped to "modern standards."
Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Alaska, with colored regions showing the bathymetry in areas mapped to "modern standards."
Conducting Bathymetric Surveys
USGS scientist Tim Elfers conducts a bathymetric (depth) survey from a personal watercraft with onboard GPS and echo sounder equipment, in Santa Cruz, California.
USGS scientist Tim Elfers conducts a bathymetric (depth) survey from a personal watercraft with onboard GPS and echo sounder equipment, in Santa Cruz, California.
Crater Lake combined digital elevation and bathymetric map showing ...
Crater Lake partially fills the caldera that formed approximately 7,700 years ago during the eruption of a 12,000-ft-high volcano known as Mount Mazama.
Crater Lake partially fills the caldera that formed approximately 7,700 years ago during the eruption of a 12,000-ft-high volcano known as Mount Mazama.
PubTalk 6/2012 — Scanning the Seafloor with Sound
--modern sonar reveals hidden hazards and resources
by David Finlayson, Marine Geologist
--modern sonar reveals hidden hazards and resources
by David Finlayson, Marine Geologist
PubTalk 6/2011 — Exploring California's Amazing Seafloor
--the visionary California Seafloor Mapping Program
by Sam Johnson, USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center
--the visionary California Seafloor Mapping Program
by Sam Johnson, USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center
Collecting Bathymetric Data in San Francisco Bay
USGS scientists Patrick Barnard (left) and Jeff Hansen navigate personal watercraft equipped with GPS and echo sounders through the waters of San Francisco Bay. They are collecting bathymetric, or depth, information in order to create maps of the bottom of the Bay.
USGS scientists Patrick Barnard (left) and Jeff Hansen navigate personal watercraft equipped with GPS and echo sounders through the waters of San Francisco Bay. They are collecting bathymetric, or depth, information in order to create maps of the bottom of the Bay.
Bathymetric map of Yellowstone Lake
Bathymetric map of Yellowstone Lake showing hydrothermal features in the north part of the lake, including Elliott's Crater, Mary Bay, and Deep Hole. Colors correspond to lake depth, with cooler colors indicating greater depths.
Bathymetric map of Yellowstone Lake showing hydrothermal features in the north part of the lake, including Elliott's Crater, Mary Bay, and Deep Hole. Colors correspond to lake depth, with cooler colors indicating greater depths.
Related
Why is the ocean salty?
Oceans cover about 70 percent of the Earth's surface and about 97 percent of all water on and in the Earth is saline—there's a lot of salty water on our planet. By some estimates, if the salt in the ocean could be removed and spread evenly over the Earth’s land surface it would form a layer more than 500 feet (166 meters) thick, about the height of a 40-story office building. But, where did all...
Where can I get current sea-surface temperature data?
The USGS has studied sea-surface temperature in many areas around the globe; you can find publications from these studies in the USGS Publications Warehouse and by searching on the Internet. World maps and data are available from other agencies, particularly at the NOAA's Sea Surface Temperature , and at the JPL Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center. For specific data covering...
What is marine geology?
Geology is the study of the Earth. This includes how the Earth was formed, how the Earth has changed since it was formed, the materials that make up the Earth, and the processes that act on it. Marine Geology focuses on areas affected by our oceans including the deep ocean floor, the shallower slopes and shelves that surround the continents, and coastal areas like beaches and estuaries. USGS...
Northern Cascadia composite bathymetric map
Northern Cascadia composite bathymetry. See the data release: Composite multibeam bathymetry surface of the northern Cascadia Margin offshore Washington.
Northern Cascadia composite bathymetry. See the data release: Composite multibeam bathymetry surface of the northern Cascadia Margin offshore Washington.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho. Image was created by Cindy Thatcher.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho. Image was created by Cindy Thatcher.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.
Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Alaska
Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Alaska, with colored regions showing the bathymetry in areas mapped to "modern standards."
Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Alaska, with colored regions showing the bathymetry in areas mapped to "modern standards."
Conducting Bathymetric Surveys
USGS scientist Tim Elfers conducts a bathymetric (depth) survey from a personal watercraft with onboard GPS and echo sounder equipment, in Santa Cruz, California.
USGS scientist Tim Elfers conducts a bathymetric (depth) survey from a personal watercraft with onboard GPS and echo sounder equipment, in Santa Cruz, California.
Crater Lake combined digital elevation and bathymetric map showing ...
Crater Lake partially fills the caldera that formed approximately 7,700 years ago during the eruption of a 12,000-ft-high volcano known as Mount Mazama.
Crater Lake partially fills the caldera that formed approximately 7,700 years ago during the eruption of a 12,000-ft-high volcano known as Mount Mazama.
PubTalk 6/2012 — Scanning the Seafloor with Sound
--modern sonar reveals hidden hazards and resources
by David Finlayson, Marine Geologist
--modern sonar reveals hidden hazards and resources
by David Finlayson, Marine Geologist
PubTalk 6/2011 — Exploring California's Amazing Seafloor
--the visionary California Seafloor Mapping Program
by Sam Johnson, USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center
--the visionary California Seafloor Mapping Program
by Sam Johnson, USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center
Collecting Bathymetric Data in San Francisco Bay
USGS scientists Patrick Barnard (left) and Jeff Hansen navigate personal watercraft equipped with GPS and echo sounders through the waters of San Francisco Bay. They are collecting bathymetric, or depth, information in order to create maps of the bottom of the Bay.
USGS scientists Patrick Barnard (left) and Jeff Hansen navigate personal watercraft equipped with GPS and echo sounders through the waters of San Francisco Bay. They are collecting bathymetric, or depth, information in order to create maps of the bottom of the Bay.
Bathymetric map of Yellowstone Lake
Bathymetric map of Yellowstone Lake showing hydrothermal features in the north part of the lake, including Elliott's Crater, Mary Bay, and Deep Hole. Colors correspond to lake depth, with cooler colors indicating greater depths.
Bathymetric map of Yellowstone Lake showing hydrothermal features in the north part of the lake, including Elliott's Crater, Mary Bay, and Deep Hole. Colors correspond to lake depth, with cooler colors indicating greater depths.
Updated Date: April 30, 2025