Evaluation of Arctic Multibeam Sonar Data Quality Using Nadir Crossover Analysis and Compilation of a Full-Resolution Data Product

TitleEvaluation of Arctic Multibeam Sonar Data Quality Using Nadir Crossover Analysis and Compilation of a Full-Resolution Data Product
Publication TypeThesis
Year2014
AuthorsFlinders, AF
Degree and ProgramMaster of Science
DegreeOcean Engineering/Ocean Mapping
Number of Pages48
Date PublishedSeptember
UniversityUniversity of New Hampshire
LocationDurham, NH
KeywordsEarth sciences; Artic Multibeam Sonar Data

Documented and evaluated here is a new high-resolution multibeam bathymetry compilation for the Canada Basin and Chukchi Borderland in the Arctic Ocean– United States Arctic Multibeam Compilation (USAMBC Version 1.0). The compilation preserves the highest native resolution of the bathymetric data, allowing for more detailed interpretation of seafloor morphology than has been previously possible in existing compilations. The compilation was created from multibeam bathymetry data available through openly accessible government and academic repositories. Much of the new data was collected during dedicated mapping cruises in support of the United States effort to map potential extended continental shelf regions beyond the 200 nautical miles (nmi) Exclusive Economic Zone. Data quality was evaluated using nadir-beam crossover-error statistics, making it possible to estimate the minimum uncertainty of multibeam depth soundings collected from a wide range of vessels and sonar systems. Data were compiled into a single high- resolution grid through a vertical stacking method, preserving the highest quality data source in any specific grid cell. The crossover-error analysis and method of data compilation can be applied to other multi-source multibeam datasets, and is particularly useful for government agencies targeting extended continental shelf regions but with limited hydrographic capabilities. Both the gridded compilation and an easily-distributed geospatial PDF map are freely available through the University of New Hampshire's Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. The geospatial PDF is a full resolution, small file-size product that supports interpretation of Arctic seafloor morphology without the need for specialized griddinglvisualization software.