`Multibeam Data Image Gallery`

The images in this gallery are all derived from data collected in November, 1995, aboard the R/V KNORR (Voyage 145 Leg 12). During engineering tests of the system, a small survey was conducted, lasting approximately 24 hours, in order to simulate actual scientific usage. The area selected for the survey was a portion of the Wombat Plateau, a relatively small, yet dramatic feature bordering the North Australian Basin. The images presented below are meant to give a sense of how multibeam data is processed, and the type of products possible. Multibeam data can be used for a variety of purposes, however, with different results and techniques depending on the scientific mission.

Some pertinent information about this survey:

Approximately 1,700 square kilometers surveyed, with five survey lines totalling 120 nautical miles, not including turns.
Depth range from 2,000 meters to 5,800 meters.
Approximately 41 MB of sonar data collected during the survey, not including data during turns.
Nearly 3,000 sonar pings, with approximately 325,000 individual soundings.

`Image Information`	`Click to Enlarge`
A general, world-view location of the survey area.
The survey area, shown in its regional setting, with global (ETOPO5) bathymetry.
This image shows the five survey lines, with multibeam bathymetry data displayed as contour lines.
After minor corrections, the multibeam data is mathematically fitted to a surface. This image shows bathymetry contour lines based on the derived grid.
This image shows color-filled contours based on the bathymetry grid.
In addition to bathymetry data, sidescan (amplitude) imagery data is also generated. This image shows raw sidescan data as collected per survey line.
This image shows the sidescan data from all five lines, after averaging, filtering and equalization. Note that in the sedimented, soft-bottom conditions of this survey area, sidescan systems generally do not perform well.
This image shows the gridded data using a 3D view, with artificial lighting and shading applied, viewed from the south.
This image also shows 3D bathymetry, color coded by depth, but with the sidescan imagery added. There is no lighting or shading applied. View is from the south.
Rather than an image, this scene is color coded depth, with lighting and shading, but in VRML form. With an appropriate plug-in or other software, one can 'fly' through this data.
Lastly, an animated movie of 'flying' around the survey area. Depths are color coded, with lighting and shading added. MPEG format.
Same movie, in QuickTime format.