Mapping for Ocean Exploration: A Framework for Closing the Gaps

Abstract

Efforts to advance ocean exploration-driven seafloor mapping have resulted in scalable frameworks well-suited for adoption by large-scale initiatives aimed at closing bathymetric gaps. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Exploration, NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory have developed complementary frameworks that address key aspects of data collection, management, and integration. These frameworks, when combined, ensure the long-term utility, accessibility, and interoperability of seafloor mapping data for a broad range of applications. Ocean exploration shares a common goal with initiatives such as the Nippon Foundation-General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean Seabed 2030 Project and the National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization: to close critical bathymetric gaps in the world's ocean. The frameworks described herein provide a practical model for advancing this shared vision. By building upon established frameworks rather than creating them anew, the global ocean mapping community can focus efforts on addressing the challenges that remain for completing the global bathymetric map.