International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO) is an initiative
that began in 1997. IBCAO's purpose was to develop a digital data base that
contains all available bathymetric data north of 64 degrees North, for use
by map makers, researchers, and others whose work requires a detailed and
accurate knowledge of the depth and the shape of the Arctic seabed.
This message details the initiative's first published work.
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the first publication of the initial work on the
project. The citation is as follows:
Jakobsson, M., N.Z. Cherkis, J. Woodward, R. Macnab and B. Coakley. New Grid
of Arctic Bathymetry Aids Scientists and Mapmakers. EOS, Trans. Amer.
Geophys. Un. 81/9, 89, 93,96.
The IBCAO project is very much a cooperative undertaking that draws upon the
interests and the resources of numerous individuals and organizations. The
present makeup of the working body comes from eleven organisations in eight
countries. To continue the objective, we have, with the assistance and good
offices of the National Geophysical Data Center in Boulder, Colorado,
developed a Website to keep the Arctic science and policy communities
informed of our progress, and also to allow parties interested in
participating and possibly contributing as-yet unknown data to enhance the
product. The URL of the Website is:
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/bathymetry/arctic/arctic.html
and contains information on how users may download the Beta Grid for
evaluation purposes. The Website is very much a work in progress, as we plan
to add more information in the near future.
If you haven't already done so, we invite you to log on so you can so you
can learn more about the project and receive updates as they occur. All
suggestions, contributions and comments will be seriously evaluated.
Yours truly,
(on behalf of the members of the Gridding Team and the
Editorial Board of IBCAO)
Norman Z. Cherkis
Neptune Sciences Inc.
6300 Saddle Tree Drive
Alexandria VA 22310-2915
Phone / Fax: (703) 971-3141
Email: cherkis [at] excite.com