British Columbia 3 arc-second Bathymetric Digital Elevation Model

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The 3 arc-second British Columbia DEM will be used to support NOAA's tsunami forecast system and for tsunami inundation modeling. This DEM covers the coastal area off-shore British Columbia.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • ID not available.
gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.dem:4956
Search Data
  • DEM text search (search)
    Text search for locating completed and planned DEMs.
  • Bathymetric Data Viewer (search)
    The Bathymetric Data Viewer is an interactive map providing discovery, descriptions, and download capability for bathymetric survey data and digital elevation models archived at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
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Distribution Formats
  • netCDF(Version:4 Classic)
Distributor DEM Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
dem.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact DEM Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
dem.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 1930-01-01 to 2012-01-01
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::5715
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West:-137.45
East:-122.20
South:48.05
North:54.20
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2013-07-09
Edition First
Data Presentation Form mapDigital
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
The vertical datum for the source bathymetric data was generally Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), Lower Low Water Large Tide (LLWLT), Mean Sea Level (MSL), or assumed MSL The differences between these datums are less than the vertical accuracy of the CRM, so you can assign Mean Sea Level to this DEM if you like, just recognize that the elevation values may not be as accurate as you might like or need. Assume a
vertical accuracy no better than 1 meter for any elevation values. Because of its relatively large cell size (3 arc-seconds or roughly 90 m), no effort was made to establish a common vertical datum as the uncertainty in the elevation value of each cell exceeds the differences between vertical datums (typically sub-meter).
Purpose Developed for the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), NOAA Center for Tsunami Research program in support of NOAA's tsunami forecasting and warning efforts.
Use Limitations
  • Not to be used for navigation. Although these data are of high quality and useful for planning and modeling purposes, they are not suitable for navigation. For navigation, please refer to the NOS nautical chart series.
  • Produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
Originators
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Custodians
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Seafloor Topography
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Bathymetry
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Water Depth
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coastal Elevation
Uncontrolled
  • Coastal Relief
  • Gridded elevations
  • Bathymetry
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS > WEB-BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
  • DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING > DATA SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > VISUALIZATION/IMAGE PROCESSING
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Models/Analyses > DEM > Digital Elevation Model
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > Canada > British Columbia
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean > Gulf of Alaska
  • Vertical Location > Sea Floor
Uncontrolled
  • Canada
  • British Columbia
  • Strait of Juan de Fuca
  • Strait of Georgia
  • Queen Charlotte Strait
  • Queen Charlotte Sound
  • Hecate Strait
  • Moresby Canyon
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System
  • NOAA OneStop Project
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 1 meter - < 30 meters
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • < 1 meter
Use Constraints No constraint information available
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees Fee information not available.
Lineage information for:dataset
Processor
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Processing Steps
  • 2013-04-01T00:00:00 -All datasets obtained by NGDC were converted to common horizontal datum of WGS 84 geographic using ArcGIS. They were also converted to common file format, ESRI point shapefiles or digital rasters, for visualization and inspection.
  • 2013-05-02T00:00:00 -Datasets were visually inspected with ArcGIS and QT Modeler for identification and editing of data anomalies. Datasets were then compared with overlapping datasets to ensure data consistency.
  • 2013-06-01T00:00:00 -xyz files of the bathymetric data were surfaced using GMT's 'surface' tool onto a 3 arc-second grid that interpolated to fill empty cells. Points extracted every 10 meters along the coastline were also included to ensure that the bathymetric grid reached zero at the coast. The resulting Arc ASCII grid was imported into ArcGIS and clipped to the coastline to remove values over land.
  • 2013-06-20T00:00:00 -xyz files for each input dataset were gridded using MB-System's 'mbgrid' tool, which utilizes a high-tension spline interpolation method to fill grid cells with no input elevation values. Preferential weighting was given to more recent, higher-accuracy datasets. Gridding was performed in halves, each with a 5% data buffer. The grids were imported in ArcGIS and seamlessly merged to create the final DEM.
  • 2013-06-30T00:00:00 -The DEM was quantitatively evaluated by comparing the grid against source data files.
Source Datasets
  • NOS Hydrographic Surveys
    • NOS Hydrographic Survey Database (download)
      Digital database of NOS hydrographic surveys that date back to the late 19th century.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: hydrographic surveys ; Source Type: online
    • Temporal extent used: 1930-01-01 to 2011-01-01
  • NGDC Multibeam Bathymetry Database
    • NGDC Multibeam Bathymetry Database (download)
      Multibeam swath sonar survey data
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Multibeam bathymetry data ; Source Type: online
    • Temporal extent used: 1981-01-01 to 2012-01-01
  • Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) digital coastline and soundings
  • NGDC ETOPO1
    • NGDC ETOPO1 (download)
      Integrated bathymetric-topographic global DEM
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: bathymetry; Source Type: online
    • Temporal extent used: 1940-01-01 to 2008-01-01
  • Port Townsend, Washington Coastal Digital Elevation Model
    • NGDC Bathymetric-topographic DEMs (download)
      Integrated bathymetric-topographic DEMs
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: NGDC Bathymetric-topographic Port Townsend, Washington DEM ; Source Type: online
    • Temporal extent used: 1887-01-01 to 2010-01-01
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Digital Nautical Chart (DNC) extracted soundings and coastline
    • Digital Nautical Chart COA26C extracted soundings and coastline (download)
      The Digital Nautical Chart is produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and is an unclassified, vector-based digital database containing maritime significant features essential for safe marine navigation. DNCs 018, 026, 027, and 028 are produced in partnership with Canadian Forces Mapping and Charting Establishment Hydrographic Services Office (Esquimalt).
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: digital soundings and coastline; Source Type: online
    • Temporal extent used: 1999-01-01 to 2011-01-01
  • Canadian Hydrographic Service Multibeam bathymetry
    • Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) (download)
      CHS multibeam survey data was provided to NGDC by CHS.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: bathymetry
    • Temporal extent used: 1996-01-01 to 2012-01-01
  • Digital elevation model (DEM) of Cascadia, latitude 39N-53N, longitude 116W-133W
    • Digital elevation model (DEM) of Cascadia, latitude 39N-53N, longitude 116W-133W (download)
      This report contains a 250-meter digital elevation model (DEM) for Cascadia (latitude 39N - 53N, longitude 116W - 133W), a region that encompasses the Cascade volcanic arc, the Cascadia subduction zone, and the Juan de Fuca Ridge system.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: USGS integrated bathymetric-topographic DEM
    • Temporal extent used: 1969-01-01 to 1998-01-01
  • bc_eez_100m
    • British Columbia Marine Conservation Analysis (BCMCA) (download)
      A 100 m raster of the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) created for research purposes. The raster provides depth information for the EEZ.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: BCMCA bathymetric DEM
    • Temporal extent used: 1999-01-01 to 2012-01-01
Lineage information for:repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 -NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2022-03-25
For questions about the information on this page, please email:dem.info@noaa.gov