Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows various types and conditions of corals, including sea fan corals (Gorgonia) in the center.
Mapping the Seafloor
The seafloor has distinct features and characteristics that help us better understand Earth’s current and past conditions, potential resources, and natural hazards. However, less than 10% of the seafloor has been mapped globally. The USGS conducts high-resolution mapping to describe the physical features of the ocean floor, as well as the geologic layers and structure beneath it.
What's on the seafloor?
The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’ surface, yet only a small part of the seafloor has been mapped with enough detail to understand the basic structure, risks, and living and mineral resources that exist there. Characterizing the ocean floor expands our ability to better understand large scale Earth processes along with improved knowledge about the seafloor, deep sea minerals and associated ecosystems. Through this process we can build a more complete view of Earth history, begin to recognize changes, and provide predictions about how the seafloor, underwater environments, and marine geohazards may change in the future.
Technology and Innovation in Seafloor Mapping
Just like the Earth’s land surface, the seafloor contains significant geological and biological features. Geological features include mountains, canyons, plateaus, ledges, and submarine volcanoes, all of which have variable substrate that can range from rocky outcrops to extensive muddy plains, sand ripples, and giant sediment fans along with chemical seeps. Visit the Ocean 101 page to learn more. View a slideshow featuring thickets of coral reefs, sponges, mussels, and the many wondrous creatures that live and move among them.
The USGS designs mapping research programs to address a wide range of topics, and to expand our understanding of deep sea minerals, offshore energy, marine biological habitats, hazards, and more. The USGS uses acoustic techniques to collect detailed information about the seafloor, such as its shape, sediment composition and distribution, and underlying geologic structure and sediment type. Seafloor video, photographs, sediment cores, and other samples are also collected to validate the acoustics and provide a comprehensive foundation for studies of sediment and contaminant transport, landslide and tsunami hazards, gas hydrates, methane and carbon flux, benthic habitat quality, and sediment availability. Managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders use the map products derived from these studies to make informed decisions regarding the Nation’s safety and economic prosperity.
USGS Role in Seafloor Mapping
From habitats to hazards, here are some examples of USGS seafloor mapping efforts.
Mapping the Continental Shelf
The USGS maps continental shelf areas to understand coastal system evolution, from sediment transport to habitat use. Through marine geologic mapping and characterization of inner continental shelf areas, USGS science expands understanding of coastal vulnerability, sediment sources, transport pathways, habitat type and ecosystem characteristics. These activities advance the research and technology essential to coastal evolution and environmental change science while also supporting state and national partners in managing coastal and marine resources and related decisions.
Mapping Beyond the Continental Shelf
Mapping of seafloor and geologic structure beyond the continental shelf is foundational to enhancing stewardship of natural resources, promoting economic prosperity, and strengthening the nation’s security.
Publications
California Deepwater Investigations and Groundtruthing (Cal DIG) I, volume 3 — Benthic habitat characterization offshore Morro Bay, California
Submarine landslide susceptibility mapping in recently deglaciated terrain, Glacier Bay, Alaska
A characterization of deep-sea coral and sponge communities along the California and Oregon coast using a remotely operated vehicle on the EXPRESS 2018 expedition
Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the California continental margin and associated features from the California-Oregon border to Ensenada, Mexico
A federal-state partnership for mapping Florida's coast and seafloor
Science
Delineating the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf
USGS Law of the Sea
SQUID-5 camera system
Cascadia Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards
PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities
Multimedia
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows various types and conditions of corals, including sea fan corals (Gorgonia) in the center.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows a sea fan coral (Gorgonia) in the center, surrounded other corals and fishes.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows a sea fan coral (Gorgonia) in the center, surrounded other corals and fishes.
Bathymetry is the science of measuring the depth of water in ocean, river and lake environments. Learn how USGS measures bathymetry in this video by the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, originally created for the 2021 virtual St. Petersburg Science Festival.
Bathymetry is the science of measuring the depth of water in ocean, river and lake environments. Learn how USGS measures bathymetry in this video by the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, originally created for the 2021 virtual St. Petersburg Science Festival.
The R/V Sallenger tows the SQUID-5 over Looe Key reef with a NOAA Sanctuary boat in the background patrolling the Looe Key area to warn recreational vessels of the ongoing research activity.
The R/V Sallenger tows the SQUID-5 over Looe Key reef with a NOAA Sanctuary boat in the background patrolling the Looe Key area to warn recreational vessels of the ongoing research activity.
Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer surveys a large boulder covered in bamboo corals during the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. Bamboo corals were locally abundant on these large boulders and more spread out throughout different hard-bottom habitats.
Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer surveys a large boulder covered in bamboo corals during the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. Bamboo corals were locally abundant on these large boulders and more spread out throughout different hard-bottom habitats.
Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.
Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.
The USGS Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies project provides science that helps resource managers tasked with the stewardship of coral reef resources.
The USGS Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies project provides science that helps resource managers tasked with the stewardship of coral reef resources.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to guide the recovery of the threatened Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, in Dry Tortugas National Park and throughout the western Atlantic.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to guide the recovery of the threatened Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, in Dry Tortugas National Park and throughout the western Atlantic.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to guide the restoration and recovery of the threatened elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, in Dry Tortugas National Park and throughout the western Atlantic. In this photograph, research marine biologist Ilsa Kuffner is doing maintenance on a USGS “calcification station”.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to guide the restoration and recovery of the threatened elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, in Dry Tortugas National Park and throughout the western Atlantic. In this photograph, research marine biologist Ilsa Kuffner is doing maintenance on a USGS “calcification station”.
News
California Deepwater Investigations and Groundtruthing
From the Seafloor to Outer Space, USGS is on the Case
New USGS technology provides three dimensional benefits: assessing coastal hazards, seafloor stability, and coral restoration efforts
Explore our science
Multibeam bathymetry 3D perspective view of seafloor offshore northern California (600 - 700 m water depth) where backscatter suggests there is hard substrate and seafloor seeps were identified in the water column.
Multibeam bathymetry 3D perspective view of seafloor offshore northern California (600 - 700 m water depth) where backscatter suggests there is hard substrate and seafloor seeps were identified in the water column.
Dr. Cheryl Morrison directs remotely operated vehicle sampling of Primnoa pacifica in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Image courtesy of Dann Blackwood, the Deepwater Exploration of Glacier Bay National Park expedition.
Dr. Cheryl Morrison directs remotely operated vehicle sampling of Primnoa pacifica in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Image courtesy of Dann Blackwood, the Deepwater Exploration of Glacier Bay National Park expedition.
Members of the remotely operated vehicle Kraken2 recover the vehicle after a successful dive, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Image courtesy of Dann Blackwood, the Deepwater Exploration of Glacier Bay National Park expedition.
Members of the remotely operated vehicle Kraken2 recover the vehicle after a successful dive, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Image courtesy of Dann Blackwood, the Deepwater Exploration of Glacier Bay National Park expedition.
Methane seeps, called flares on the multibeam scanner, are superimposed on a bathymetric map of Grays Canyon, an undersea canyon off the Pacific Coast of Oregon and Washington. USGS scientist Bill Danforth creates these images to help the science crew decide where to dive with ROV SuBastian.
Methane seeps, called flares on the multibeam scanner, are superimposed on a bathymetric map of Grays Canyon, an undersea canyon off the Pacific Coast of Oregon and Washington. USGS scientist Bill Danforth creates these images to help the science crew decide where to dive with ROV SuBastian.
Seafloor Mineral Deposits Studied by the USGS
Type of seafloor deposit, and which primary elements and metals are found within them:
Seafloor massive sulfides: Copper, zinc, gold, silver
Manganese nodules: Nickel, copper, cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, manganese
Seafloor Mineral Deposits Studied by the USGS
Type of seafloor deposit, and which primary elements and metals are found within them:
Seafloor massive sulfides: Copper, zinc, gold, silver
Manganese nodules: Nickel, copper, cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, manganese
Interannual time-series of bathymetry data showing infilling of a borrow pit created at the northern end of the Chandeleur Islands in 2010. Bathymetry shows seafloor depth, with red representing shallow water and blue representing deeper water.
Interannual time-series of bathymetry data showing infilling of a borrow pit created at the northern end of the Chandeleur Islands in 2010. Bathymetry shows seafloor depth, with red representing shallow water and blue representing deeper water.
USGS research geneticist Cheryl Morrison onboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, next to Deep Discoverer, a remotely operated vehicle used to explore the ocean floor.
USGS research geneticist Cheryl Morrison onboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, next to Deep Discoverer, a remotely operated vehicle used to explore the ocean floor.
WARC scientists collect deep-sea sediment samples
WARC scientists collect deep-sea sediment samples
The seafloor has distinct features and characteristics that help us better understand Earth’s current and past conditions, potential resources, and natural hazards. However, less than 10% of the seafloor has been mapped globally. The USGS conducts high-resolution mapping to describe the physical features of the ocean floor, as well as the geologic layers and structure beneath it.
What's on the seafloor?
The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’ surface, yet only a small part of the seafloor has been mapped with enough detail to understand the basic structure, risks, and living and mineral resources that exist there. Characterizing the ocean floor expands our ability to better understand large scale Earth processes along with improved knowledge about the seafloor, deep sea minerals and associated ecosystems. Through this process we can build a more complete view of Earth history, begin to recognize changes, and provide predictions about how the seafloor, underwater environments, and marine geohazards may change in the future.
Technology and Innovation in Seafloor Mapping
Just like the Earth’s land surface, the seafloor contains significant geological and biological features. Geological features include mountains, canyons, plateaus, ledges, and submarine volcanoes, all of which have variable substrate that can range from rocky outcrops to extensive muddy plains, sand ripples, and giant sediment fans along with chemical seeps. Visit the Ocean 101 page to learn more. View a slideshow featuring thickets of coral reefs, sponges, mussels, and the many wondrous creatures that live and move among them.
The USGS designs mapping research programs to address a wide range of topics, and to expand our understanding of deep sea minerals, offshore energy, marine biological habitats, hazards, and more. The USGS uses acoustic techniques to collect detailed information about the seafloor, such as its shape, sediment composition and distribution, and underlying geologic structure and sediment type. Seafloor video, photographs, sediment cores, and other samples are also collected to validate the acoustics and provide a comprehensive foundation for studies of sediment and contaminant transport, landslide and tsunami hazards, gas hydrates, methane and carbon flux, benthic habitat quality, and sediment availability. Managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders use the map products derived from these studies to make informed decisions regarding the Nation’s safety and economic prosperity.
USGS Role in Seafloor Mapping
From habitats to hazards, here are some examples of USGS seafloor mapping efforts.
Mapping the Continental Shelf
The USGS maps continental shelf areas to understand coastal system evolution, from sediment transport to habitat use. Through marine geologic mapping and characterization of inner continental shelf areas, USGS science expands understanding of coastal vulnerability, sediment sources, transport pathways, habitat type and ecosystem characteristics. These activities advance the research and technology essential to coastal evolution and environmental change science while also supporting state and national partners in managing coastal and marine resources and related decisions.
Mapping Beyond the Continental Shelf
Mapping of seafloor and geologic structure beyond the continental shelf is foundational to enhancing stewardship of natural resources, promoting economic prosperity, and strengthening the nation’s security.
Publications
California Deepwater Investigations and Groundtruthing (Cal DIG) I, volume 3 — Benthic habitat characterization offshore Morro Bay, California
Submarine landslide susceptibility mapping in recently deglaciated terrain, Glacier Bay, Alaska
A characterization of deep-sea coral and sponge communities along the California and Oregon coast using a remotely operated vehicle on the EXPRESS 2018 expedition
Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the California continental margin and associated features from the California-Oregon border to Ensenada, Mexico
A federal-state partnership for mapping Florida's coast and seafloor
Science
Delineating the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf
USGS Law of the Sea
SQUID-5 camera system
Cascadia Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards
PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities
Multimedia
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows various types and conditions of corals, including sea fan corals (Gorgonia) in the center.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows various types and conditions of corals, including sea fan corals (Gorgonia) in the center.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows a sea fan coral (Gorgonia) in the center, surrounded other corals and fishes.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows a sea fan coral (Gorgonia) in the center, surrounded other corals and fishes.
Bathymetry is the science of measuring the depth of water in ocean, river and lake environments. Learn how USGS measures bathymetry in this video by the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, originally created for the 2021 virtual St. Petersburg Science Festival.
Bathymetry is the science of measuring the depth of water in ocean, river and lake environments. Learn how USGS measures bathymetry in this video by the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, originally created for the 2021 virtual St. Petersburg Science Festival.
The R/V Sallenger tows the SQUID-5 over Looe Key reef with a NOAA Sanctuary boat in the background patrolling the Looe Key area to warn recreational vessels of the ongoing research activity.
The R/V Sallenger tows the SQUID-5 over Looe Key reef with a NOAA Sanctuary boat in the background patrolling the Looe Key area to warn recreational vessels of the ongoing research activity.
Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer surveys a large boulder covered in bamboo corals during the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. Bamboo corals were locally abundant on these large boulders and more spread out throughout different hard-bottom habitats.
Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer surveys a large boulder covered in bamboo corals during the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. Bamboo corals were locally abundant on these large boulders and more spread out throughout different hard-bottom habitats.
Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.
Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.
The USGS Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies project provides science that helps resource managers tasked with the stewardship of coral reef resources.
The USGS Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies project provides science that helps resource managers tasked with the stewardship of coral reef resources.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to guide the recovery of the threatened Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, in Dry Tortugas National Park and throughout the western Atlantic.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to guide the recovery of the threatened Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, in Dry Tortugas National Park and throughout the western Atlantic.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to guide the restoration and recovery of the threatened elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, in Dry Tortugas National Park and throughout the western Atlantic. In this photograph, research marine biologist Ilsa Kuffner is doing maintenance on a USGS “calcification station”.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to guide the restoration and recovery of the threatened elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, in Dry Tortugas National Park and throughout the western Atlantic. In this photograph, research marine biologist Ilsa Kuffner is doing maintenance on a USGS “calcification station”.
News
California Deepwater Investigations and Groundtruthing
From the Seafloor to Outer Space, USGS is on the Case
New USGS technology provides three dimensional benefits: assessing coastal hazards, seafloor stability, and coral restoration efforts
Explore our science
Multibeam bathymetry 3D perspective view of seafloor offshore northern California (600 - 700 m water depth) where backscatter suggests there is hard substrate and seafloor seeps were identified in the water column.
Multibeam bathymetry 3D perspective view of seafloor offshore northern California (600 - 700 m water depth) where backscatter suggests there is hard substrate and seafloor seeps were identified in the water column.
Dr. Cheryl Morrison directs remotely operated vehicle sampling of Primnoa pacifica in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Image courtesy of Dann Blackwood, the Deepwater Exploration of Glacier Bay National Park expedition.
Dr. Cheryl Morrison directs remotely operated vehicle sampling of Primnoa pacifica in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Image courtesy of Dann Blackwood, the Deepwater Exploration of Glacier Bay National Park expedition.
Members of the remotely operated vehicle Kraken2 recover the vehicle after a successful dive, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Image courtesy of Dann Blackwood, the Deepwater Exploration of Glacier Bay National Park expedition.
Members of the remotely operated vehicle Kraken2 recover the vehicle after a successful dive, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Image courtesy of Dann Blackwood, the Deepwater Exploration of Glacier Bay National Park expedition.
Methane seeps, called flares on the multibeam scanner, are superimposed on a bathymetric map of Grays Canyon, an undersea canyon off the Pacific Coast of Oregon and Washington. USGS scientist Bill Danforth creates these images to help the science crew decide where to dive with ROV SuBastian.
Methane seeps, called flares on the multibeam scanner, are superimposed on a bathymetric map of Grays Canyon, an undersea canyon off the Pacific Coast of Oregon and Washington. USGS scientist Bill Danforth creates these images to help the science crew decide where to dive with ROV SuBastian.
Seafloor Mineral Deposits Studied by the USGS
Type of seafloor deposit, and which primary elements and metals are found within them:
Seafloor massive sulfides: Copper, zinc, gold, silver
Manganese nodules: Nickel, copper, cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, manganese
Seafloor Mineral Deposits Studied by the USGS
Type of seafloor deposit, and which primary elements and metals are found within them:
Seafloor massive sulfides: Copper, zinc, gold, silver
Manganese nodules: Nickel, copper, cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, manganese
Interannual time-series of bathymetry data showing infilling of a borrow pit created at the northern end of the Chandeleur Islands in 2010. Bathymetry shows seafloor depth, with red representing shallow water and blue representing deeper water.
Interannual time-series of bathymetry data showing infilling of a borrow pit created at the northern end of the Chandeleur Islands in 2010. Bathymetry shows seafloor depth, with red representing shallow water and blue representing deeper water.
USGS research geneticist Cheryl Morrison onboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, next to Deep Discoverer, a remotely operated vehicle used to explore the ocean floor.
USGS research geneticist Cheryl Morrison onboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, next to Deep Discoverer, a remotely operated vehicle used to explore the ocean floor.
WARC scientists collect deep-sea sediment samples
WARC scientists collect deep-sea sediment samples