The California Seafloor and Coastal Mapping Program (CSCMP) is a collaborative effort to develop comprehensive bathymetric, geologic, and habitat maps and data for California's State Waters. CSCMP began in 2007 when the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) allocated funding for high-resolution bathymetric mapping, largely to support the California Marine Life Protection Act and to update nautical charts. Collaboration and support from the U.S. Geological Survey and other partners has led to development and dissemination of one of the world's largest seafloor-mapping datasets. CSCMP provides essential science and data for ocean and coastal management, stimulates and enables research, and raises public education and awareness of coastal and ocean issues. Specific applications include:
- •Delineation and designation of marine protected areas
- •Characterization and modeling of benthic habitats and ecosystems
- •Updating nautical charts
- •Earthquake hazard assessments
- •Tsunami hazard assessments
- •Planning offshore infrastructure
- •Providing baselines for monitoring change
- •Input to models of sediment transport, coastal erosion, and coastal flooding
- •Regional sediment management
- •Understanding coastal aquifers
- •Providing geospatial data for emergency response
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2017 |
---|---|
Title | The California Seafloor and Coastal Mapping Program – Providing science and geospatial data for California's State Waters |
DOI | 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2017.02.004 |
Authors | Samuel Y. Johnson, Guy R. Cochrane, Nadine Golden, Peter Dartnell, Stephen Hartwell, Susan A. Cochran, Janet Watt |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Ocean and Coastal Management |
Index ID | 70187009 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center |
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Samuel Y Johnson
Geologist Emeritus
Guy R Cochrane, PhD
Research Geophysicist
Nadine Golden
Deputy Center Director
Peter Dartnell
Physical Scientist
Susan A Cochran
Assistant Deputy Center Director
Janet Watt
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An earthquake can trigger a landslide along the ocean floor, which can then set off a tsunami. Without modern, high-resolution imaging of the seafloor, many historical slides and threats from future slides remain undetected. - Connect
Samuel Y Johnson
Geologist EmeritusEmailPhoneGuy R Cochrane, PhD
Research GeophysicistEmailPhoneNadine Golden
Deputy Center DirectorEmailPhonePeter Dartnell
Physical ScientistEmailPhoneSusan A Cochran
Assistant Deputy Center DirectorEmailPhoneJanet Watt
Research GeophysicistEmailPhone