Expanded global seabed maps needed beyond current General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) scale.
Worldwide Bathymetric Charts: The Current State and Future Plans
The General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) remains the most authoritative publicly available bathymetry dataset for the world's oceans as of 2025. This global project, aimed at providing comprehensive ocean floor maps, serves as the foundation for worldwide bathymetric data collection.
However, the existing GEBCO chart is at a relatively moderate resolution compared to what could be achieved in the future. Regarding plans for a more comprehensive and larger-scale worldwide bathymetric chart, while there is no direct recent announcement of a single, unified upgrade surpassing GEBCO’s current scale, the marine hydrographic community is deeply engaged in digital transformation and modernization efforts.
These initiatives support improved marine data acquisition, processing, and distribution, potentially leading to more detailed and higher-resolution bathymetric charts in the future. Such modernization broadly implies the adoption of advanced surveying technologies, standardized data formats, and collaborative international data sharing frameworks.
The International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB) is responsible for producing the GEBCO series, with cooperation from all member states of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). However, any series of bathymetric charts, even with international cooperation, would constitute a major additional undertaking for hard-pressed hydrographic offices.
The manuscript discussing the need for a more detailed world-wide bathymetric chart was originally published in 1972 in The International Hydrographic Review. The author, L. N. Pascoe, posed the question, "What Bathymetric Chart of the World do Oceanographers Require?" and highlighted that the GEBCO series shows bathymetric contours at every 1,000 metres outside the Continental Shelf and Margins.
However, only a small proportion of the enormous amount of bathymetric information obtained in the last 20 years is presently available in published form. Furthermore, the International Chart series does not cover the scientifically interesting central ocean areas.
Looking ahead, the future vision is toward increasingly detailed, seamless, high-resolution bathymetry worldwide. This vision is driven by enhanced hydrographic surveying technologies, international cooperation, and digital transformations in marine charting services. However, no single finalized product larger in scale than GEBCO is yet officially available or announced.
Ongoing efforts strongly indicate that significantly improved global bathymetric charts are forthcoming. The attention of oceanographers is called to the 9th International Cartographic Association (ICA) Congress to be held in Ottawa, Canada, later in 1972. Copies of the master sheets for the GEBCO series are obtainable from several National Hydrographic Offices or from the IHB, providing all worldwide original bathymetric information at present available.
References:
[1] GEBCO (General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans). (2025). Retrieved from https://www.gebco.net/
[2] Canadian Hydrographic Service. (2021). Digital Transformation. Retrieved from https://www.ch.gc.ca/eng/about-us/digital-transformation
[4] International Hydrographic Organization. (2021). S-101 Standard for Hydrographic Data Exchange. Retrieved from https://www.iho.int/our-work/technical-areas/standards-and-recommended-practices/s-101-standard-for-hydrographic-data-exchange/Pages/default.aspx
- The advances in nautical charting, such as the use of advanced surveying technologies, standardized data formats, and collaborative international data sharing, could potentially lead to more detailed and higher-resolution bathymetric charts in the future, aligning with the vision for increasingly detailed, seamless, and high-resolution bathymetry worldwide.
- In the realm of education and self-development, understanding the intersections between science, technology, and the future of bathymetric charting can contribute to an increased awareness of the ongoing efforts and innovations in the field of space-and-astronomy, medical-conditions, lifestyle, and other disciplines that rely on accurate marine data.
- The International Hydrographic Bureau's (IHB) work on bathymetric charting provides a foundation for other areas of scientific inquiry ─ for example, in space-and-astronomy, researchers may find it useful to study changes in marine environments to better understand Earth's climate and its interactions with the cosmos. Likewise, understanding medical-conditions and their relationship to marine habitats could help expand our knowledge of health and life on our planet and beyond.
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