Coastal and Seafloor Mapping

Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center

Schematic drawing showing how various data we collect, like backscatter, seismic reflection, seafloor photography, seafloor video, beach profiling, sampling, and coring data, combine to produce maps that detail water depth, coastal change, sediment types, and other information.

We conduct integrated mapping of the coastal and marine environment to define offshore hazards and sediment processes, support habitat and resource management, and monitor change.

Learn about our Mapping Systems
California Seafloor Mapping Program
Learn about our boat R/V Snavely and the mapping systems used on the boat
- View or download our informational sheet (PDF) on R/V Snavely
- View or download our "Wall of Fame" general information poster on R/V Snavely
General information posters:
National Seafloor Mapping and Benthic Habitat Studies: Pacific
- Seafloor Mapping and Characterization
- usSEABED: data on sediment and rock distributions in the waters off the United States
- USGS Pleasure Point Study
Santa Barbara Channel
Coastal Processes Studies
- San Francisco Bay Coastal System
- San Francisco Bight
- Santa Barbara/Ventura
- Southern California Coastal Hazards: A multi-hazards demonstration project
National Archive of Marine Seismic Surveys (NAMSS)
Global Geoengineering Research
Field Work
- Current field activities: Where are we right now?
- Our Field Schedule
- Past field activities: listed by ID or search all field activities
Mapping Technology
- Learn about our Mapping Systems
- Learn about our Marine Facility, and download Software: description, documentation, & contact info
- Marine Geology Equipment used to collect data
- Methods used in marine geology research
- Research Vessels used by PCMSC
GLORIA: On-line Maps of the Deep-water EEZ
Antarctic Seismic Data Library System (SDLS)
Coastal and Marine Geology Data Catalog, InfoBank
Coastal and Marine Geology Digital Library, "Marine Realms Information Bank" or MRIB
Coastal Change Hazards Digital Library
Coastal and Marine Geology Program Internet Map Server
San Francisco Bay Area Regional Database (BARD)
BARD's goal is to provide USGS mapping data that is not readily available on other USGS data sites. These include historical maps for the Bay area, individual elevation (DEM) quadrangles (1:24,000 scale), and county compressed orthoimagery. Links to other USGS data such as bathymetry are also provided.
Past work:
- Monterey Bay Seafloor Imagery with Zoom and Pan Capabilities
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Project, our work through 1999
- Seafloor Morphology between Año Nuevo & Santa Cruz, CA, 1997

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/mapping/
Page Contact Information: PCMSC Web Team
Page Last Modified: 10 May 2012 (lzt)