Multiscale
News
The harmonised and multiscale maps of the seabed substrate have been released today by EMODnet Geology. Diverse national seabed substrate data classifications are brought together, harmonised and collated using the Folk classification system of 5, 7 and 16 classes. The maps illustrate seabed properties at different scales – 1:50 000, 1:100 000, 1:250 000 (250 k) and 1:1 000 000 (1 M) – covering all European maritime areas in one product. The broad scale data (250 k and 1 M) describes the seabed substrate at a general level, suitable for the decision-making, research and large-scale spatial planning. More detailed scale data are needed, for instance, for habitat mapping purposes and planning local constructions like wind farms. The maps of the seabed substrate are now available on the EMODnet Geology portal.
Diverse national seabed substrate data classifications are brought together, harmonised and collated using the Folk classification system of 5, 7 and 16 classes. The maps illustrate seabed properties at different scales – 1:50 000, 1:100 000, 1:250 000 (250 k) and 1:1 000 000 (1 M) – covering all European maritime areas in one product. The broad scale data (250 k and 1 M) describes the seabed substrate at a general level, suitable for the decision-making, research and large-scale spatial planning. More detailed scale data are needed, for instance, for habitat mapping purposes and planning local constructions like wind farms.
The seabed substrate multiscale map was produced in March 2019.
Note: The data may include some errors e.g. data discontinuities.
1:100k
Seabed substrate map of the European marine areas including (e.g. the Baltic Sea, the Greater North Sea, the Celtic Sea, the Iberian Coast, and the Mediterranean Sea within EU waters) at 1:100 000 scale (100k). The map is collated and harmonized from seabed substrate information within the EMODnet-Geology III project.
Where necessary, the existing seabed substrate classifications (of individual maps) have been translated to a scheme that is supported by EUNIS. This EMODnet reclassification scheme includes at least five seabed substrate classes. Four substrate classes are defined on the basis of the modified Folk triangle (mud to sandy mud; sand; coarse sediment; and mixed sediment) and one additional substrate class (rock and boulders) was included by the project team. If the original seabed substrate dataset has enabled more detailed substrate classification, classifications with 7 and 16 substrate classes might be available.
The EMODnet-Geology III project started in 2017 with 39 marine departments of the geological surveys of Europe (from 30 countries), with an objective to assemble marine geological information from all European sea areas. The seabed substrate map was produced in March 2018.
Note: The data may include some errors e.g. data discontinuities.
1:250k
Seabed substrate map of the European marine areas including (e.g. the Baltic Sea, the Greater North Sea, the Celtic Sea, the Iberian Coast, and the Mediterranean Sea within EU waters) at 1: 250 000 scale (250k). The map is collated and harmonized from seabed substrate information within the EMODnet-Geology project.
Where necessary, the existing seabed substrate classifications (of individual maps) have been translated to a scheme that is supported by EUNIS. This EMODnet reclassification scheme includes at least five seabed substrate classes. Four substrate classes are defined on the basis of the modified Folk triangle (mud to sandy mud; sand; coarse sediment; and mixed sediment) and one additional substrate class (rock and boulders) was included by the project team. If the original seabed substrate dataset has enabled more detailed substrate classification, classifications with 7 and 16 substrate classes might be available.
The EMODnet-Geology project started in 2013 with 36 marine departments of the geological surveys of Europe (from 30 countries), with an objective to assemble marine geological information from all European sea areas. The seabed substrate map was produced October 2016.
Note: The data may include some errors e.g. data discontinuities.
1:1M
Seabed substrate map of the European sea areas (e.g. the Baltic Sea, the Barents Sea, the Greater North Sea, the Celtic Sea, the Iberian Coast, the White Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea within EU waters) at 1: 1 000 000 scale (1M). The map is collated and harmonized from seabed substrate information within the EMODnet-Geology project.
The map is collated from the 1M data from Partners and generalized 1:250k EMODnet data. Where necessary, the existing substrate classifications (of individual maps) have been translated to a scheme that is supported by EUNIS. This EMODnet reclassification scheme consists of altogether five seabed substrate classes.
Four substrate classes are defined on the basis of the modified Folk triangle (mud to sandy mud; sand; coarse sediment; and mixed sediment) and one additional substrate class (rock and boulders) was included by the project team. If the original seabed substrate dataset has enabled more detailed substrate classification, classifications with 7 and 16 substrate classes might be available. The seabed substrate map was produced October 2016.
Note: The data may include some errors e.g. overlays, topological gaps and data discontinuities.
Sediment Accumulation Rates
The Sediment Accumulation Rates map was originally produced within EMODnet-Geology project (2009-2012) and updated during EMODnet III Geology (2017 – 2019). The map is compiled and harmonized from all available information on the rate of sedimentation in European maritime areas. The information on sedimentation rates for recent sediments is presented as point-source information.
Estimations of modern sedimentation rates (centimeters/year) can be based e.g. on established historical records of anthropogenic radionuclides (e.g. 137Cs and 241Am), lead (Pb) and stable lead isotope (206/207Pb ratios).
Project partners have delivered information on accumulation/sedimentation rates available in their national waters including their EEZ. Here we focus on the present-day sedimentation rates. That mean sedimentation rates over the past decades, since AD 1900 or so.
The Sedimentation Rates map was updated in March 2019.
