Currently Designated Irish Continental Shelf

Geotechnics

Offshore (marine) geology or geological oceanography is the study of the history and structure of the ocean floor. It involves geophysical, geochemical, sedimentological and paleontological investigations of the ocean floor and coastal zone. This dataset represents the offshore geology mapped in the North Atlantic Ocean and Celtic Seas around Ireland. Offshore geological data has been collected from surveys over the last 30 years. Offshore geology data gathered using various survey techniques including Multi-beam Echosounder, Single beam Echosounder, acoustic backscatter, grab sampling, sub-bottom profiling and sidescan sonars. Interpretation of basin age and geologic structure implemented using geologist expertise. Offshore geological studies provide the critical evidence for sea floor spreading and plate tectonics. The seabed is the last essentially unexplored frontier and detailed mapping supports the socio-economic (petroleum and metal mining) objectives drive value-added surveys. Offshore Geology data provided by the Petroleum Affairs Division section of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment. Offshore geology was completed for an area commonly known as the Currently Designated Irish Continental Shelf.

Geoscience Regulation Office
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Dublin
Dublin 2
D04K7X4
Ireland