A two-part seabed geomorphology classification scheme; Part 1: Morphology features glossary (Version 2)

Brief description

This brief report updates the ‘Two-part Seabed Geomorphology classification scheme’ of Dove et al. (2016) and presents a new glossary (Part 1) of Seabed Morphology features. This Morphology glossary is intended to provide marine scientists with an accurate and robust way to characterise the seabed. Each glossary entry includes a feature definition and a representative schematic diagram to support clear and consistent classification. Feature terms and definitions are primarily drawn from the IHO guide for undersea feature names, which are herein modified and augmented with additional terms to ensure the final feature catalogue and glossary encompasses the diversity of morphologies observed at the seabed, while also minimising duplication and/or ambiguity. This updated classification system and new glossary are the result of a collaboration between marine geoscientists from marine mapping programmes/networks in Norway (MAREANO), Ireland (INFOMAR), UK (MAREMAP), and Australia (Geoscience Australia) (MIM-GA). A subsequent report will present the (Part 2) Geomorphology feature glossary. Citation: Dove, Dayton, Nanson, Rachel, Bjarnadóttir, Lilja R., Guinan, Janine, Gafeira, Joana, Post, Alix, Dolan, Margaret F.J., Stewart, Heather, Arosio, Riccardo, & Scott, Gill. (2020). A two-part Seabed Geomorphology classification scheme (v.2); Part 1: Morphology Features Glossary. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4071939

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Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded

Statement: * Nanson and Nichol (2018) reported on their national seafloor geomorphology workshop that sought specialist feedback on GA's proposed advancement of the Dove et al (2016) two part seafloor mapping scheme. * This new document (Dove et al., 2020) presents the collaborative efforts of UK, Irish, Norwegian and Australian marine geomorphologists to finalise Part 1 of the seafloor mapping scheme. Part 2 will expand the collaboration to other international agencies and the GeoHab community.

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Purpose
This new approach will provide a consistent method for GA and Australian and international marine agencies to map the seafloor and to thereby serve the Blue Economy.