Currently Designated Irish Continental Shelf; Irish Exclusive Economic Zone; Irish Territorial Sea; Irish Contiguous Zone; Irish Internal Waters

Date and time; Bathymetry and Elevation; Horizontal spatial co-ordinates

Multi-beam echosounders; single-beam echosounders

Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth of sea or ocean floors. In other words, bathymetry is the underwater equivalent to hypsometry or topography. This raster dataset represents a measurement of water depth to the seabed. Bathymetry data from INFOMAR surveys have been collected in foreshore and offshore waters around Ireland. Seabed mapping bathymetry data has been collecting data since 2000 and is set to continue until 2025 under the INFOMAR programme. The INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Irelands MArine Resource (INFOMAR) programme is a joint venture between the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI). The programme is the successor to the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and concentrates on creating integrated mapping products related to the seabed. Bathymetry data has been collected using multi-beam and single beam echosounders. A multibeam echosounder is a type of sonar that is used to map the seabed. Like other sonar systems, multibeam systems emit sound waves in a fan shape beneath a ships hull. The amount of time it takes for the sound waves to bounce off the seabed and return to a receiver has been used to determine water depth. Single beam echo sounders (SBES), also known as depth sounders or fathometers determine water depth by measuring the travel time of a short sonar pulse, or ping. Bathymetry coverage not yet 100% complete for the Irish zone that is planned to survey to 2025.

Geological Survey Ireland
Block 1, Booterstown Hall, Booterstown Avenue
Booterstown
Co. Dublin
A94 N2R6
Ireland