NOAA’s NCEI Makes Upgrades to the Bathymetric Data Map Viewer

29 April 2026

Screenshot of the NCEI Bathymetric Data Viewer, showing NOAA/NOS hydrographic survey data near Kodiak, Alaska. (Image credit: NCEI)

NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) has upgraded the Bathymetric Data Map Viewer. The updated viewer is more responsive and provides a better mobile experience. NCEI scientists have also added more powerful search/filtering capabilities and improved accessibility for users.

What is Bathymetric Data?

Bathymetric data is the mapping of underwater terrain and measurement of water depth, and is essential information for scientists in a wide range of fields. Bathymetric data is used to create nautical charts, which are crucial to large ships and maritime transportation, so they are aware of water depth and potential underwater hazards. This data also aids in the study of changing coastline erosion, and even helps scientists study bottom-dwelling organisms and how they live, feed, and breed. By updating the Bathymetric Data Map Viewer, NCEI is providing better access to the most accurate, up-to-date bathymetric data for scientists around the world.

Bathymetric Data Viewer

The most recent upgrade to the viewer was made public in February 2026, but the very first viewer was developed in the early 2000s to allow geospatial searches and visualization of bathymetric data stewarded at NCEI.

The new, most current version is an interactive map containing bathymetric survey data and digital elevation models archived at NCEI. The map allows users to explore multibeam and single-beam bathymetric surveys, NOS hydrographic data, crowdsourced bathymetry, digital elevation models, and much more. Explore the viewer for more information on what each feature has to offer.