Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

This site is currently in beta, and your feedback is helping shape its ongoing development.

Return to search results

Marine Trackline Geophysical Database for Side-Scan Sonar Data

Published by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: December 18, 2025 | Last Modified: 2023-09-15T00:00:00.000+00:00
Marine Trackline Geophysical data represented within the side-scan sonar data are from towed instruments closer to the seafloor that use sound to image features on the ocean floor. This technique can create shadows like shining a flashlight, which help determine size and features. This system is often used to map cultural heritage sites like shipwrecks, to characterize the makeup of the seafloor, and can even be used to help biologists identify habitats of marine animals.

data.gov

An official website of the GSA's Technology Transformation Services

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov