The bathymetric mapping program of the national ocean survey

Systematic mapping is a prerequisite for any major activity contemplated, be it on land or in the ocean. This realization motivated the National Ocean Survey (NOS) to establish a systematic mapping program for its area of responsibility in the ocean environment. Mounting national pressure for accelerated development of gas and oil reserves on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and the protection and development of the land and water resources of the country´s coastal zone mandates a systematic series of maps varying in scale and detail. NOS is making significant progress in producing such a series of maps in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey (USGS).