Donated AUV bathymetry and Chirp seismic-reflection data collected during Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute cruises in 2018-2019 offshore of south-central California

This data release consists of donated AUV bathymetry and Chirp seismic-reflection data collected using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in 2018 and 2019. The collection of these data was funded entirely by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), and the data have been donated to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The data were collected in collaboration with the USGS and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and they are located in the same study area as the collaborative California Deepwater Investigations and Groundtruthing I (Cal DIG I) project. The purpose of the overall Cal DIG I study is to assess shallow geohazards, benthic habitats, and thereby the potential for alternative energy infrastructure (namely floating wind turbines) offshore south-central California due to the study area's proximity to power grid infrastructure associated with the Morro Bay power plant.