Mara

Mara

Our extensive marine datasets have been compiled over the years through several programmes including INFOMAR, JIBS and more recently EMODnet.

 

INFOMAR

EMODnet Bathymetry

EMODnet Geology

JIBS

To access specific datasets, with data download formats and software for viewing the data, click on any relevant links below:

Backscatter

Bathymetry (Shaded Relief)

Geology

Gravity

Lidar

Magnetics

Maps

Seabed Habitats & Substrate

Seabed Samples

Shipwrecks

Survey Coverage and Reports

 

INFOMAR

INFOMAR is the INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland's MArine Resource Programme.

It is a twenty year programme to map Ireland’s seabed. INFOMAR is funded by the Department of the Environment, Cliamte and Communications (DECC), and delivered by joint management partners Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute.

Official website

​​​​​TypeSource
Data DownloadLink to portal
Map ViewerLink to viewer
​Open DataLink to INFOMAR open data site
Metadatahttp://isde.ie/#/ , keyword 'infomar'
Data.gov.ieLink to Data.gov.ie website
Web ServicesRest services Rest services
​The Real Map of IrelandDownload PDF
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EMODnet Bathymetry

EMODnet is the European Marine Observation and Data network.

Developing and providing a harmonised Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the seabed for European sea regions.

Official website

​​​​​TypeSource
Data DownloadLink to EMODnet Bathymetry Viewing and Download service
MetadataLink to EMODnet Bathymetry Data Discovery and Access service
Web Services

WMS

WFS

EMODnet Geology

EMODnet is the European Marine Observation and Data network.

Developing and providing a harmonised Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the seabed for European sea regions.

Official website

​​​​​TypeSource
​Data DownloadLink to EMODnet geology portal​
Map Viewers

Link to viewer (EMODnet portal)

Link to viewer (INFOMAR)

​Metadata

Link to ISDE website

Link to EMODnet geology portal

Data.gov.ieLink to Data.gov.ie website
Web Services

Rest services

Link to EMODnet geology portal

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JIBS

In April 2007, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), UK was awarded approval to undertake the Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey Project (JIBS) under the INTERREG IIIA Programme of work. The objective of the JIBS Project is to promote joint action to survey the seabed in such a way as to satisfy the needs of many organisations.

JIBS provides for the first time comprehensive and seamless multibeam bathymetry data within the 3nm coastal strip westward from Fair Head, around Rathlin Island and extending to Inishtrahull Island off Donegal, excluding the harbour sections of Lough Foyle.

 

​​​​​TypeSource
Data DownloadLink to portal
​Map ViewerLink to viewer​

Backscatter

A Multibeam Echosounder (MBES) also measures the strength of the sound returning from the seabed, known as backscatter. Each seabed type (mud, sand, gravel, rock) is given a backscatter value, depending on the strength of the sound returned to the sonar head. Rocky areas have high returns. Soft sediments like sand absorb energy and have low backscatter returns. These values are used to make a grey-scale image with a dark colour for high returns (rocks) and a bright colour for low returns (sand). 

Backscatter data formats.

​Image​​​​​FormatSoftwareInstructions​
PDF chartFree AdobeDownload Charts
Download pdf  Select: Offshore Charts pdf
Geotiff (.tif)Any image viewing softwareDownload Geotiffs Select: Offshore Geotiffs-Offshore Geotiffs-Backscatter GeoTiffs
Trackline xyz (.dat)Fledermaus
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download xyz Select: Vector datasets-Offshore -Backscatter
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Bathymetry (shaded relief, water depth / underwater terrain)

We use a Multibeam Echosounder (MBES) on a boat to determine water depth. The depth is calculated based on the time it takes the sound to be emitted from the sensor, hit the seabed and bounce back. The water depth maps are known as "Bathymetry Maps". We use software called Fledermaus to get the 3D effect. By using vertical exaggeration, artificial sun-shading (mostly as if there is a light source in the northwest) and colouring the depths using colour maps, it is possible to highlight the subtle relief of the seabed. These are known as "Shaded Relief Bathymetry Maps".

Bathymetry data formats.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
PDF chart​Free AdobeDownload Charts
Download pdf 
Select: Offshore Charts pdf
Google (.kmz)Free Google Earth​Download kmz
Select: Google Kmz 
Fledermaus .scene, .sdFree iView4D​Download .scene
Select: Fledermaus Scenes
Note: You can click and get depth using this software.
Geotiff (.tif)Any image viewing software​Download Geotiffs
Select: Offshore Geotiffs-Offshore Geotiffs-Bathymetry GeoTiffs
Grid ER Mapper (.ers)ERDAS ER Mapper
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download .ers
Select: Gridded datasets-Offshore-Bathymetry
ESRI ArcGIS GRIDArcGIS​Download ArcGIS GRID
Select:  ArcGIS GRIDS-Offshore ArcGIS-Bathymetry Survey Leg ArcGIS GRID or Bathymetry Merged Survey ArcGIS GRID or Bathymetry Entire Area ArcGIS GRID.
​Grid or trackline xyz (.dat)Fledermaus,
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download xyz
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore -Bathymetry (Survey Leg) for a grid or Bathymetry (Survey Line) for tracklines.
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Geology

The Onshore Geology map is the Bedrock Geology 1:1 Million scale map. The Seabed geology 1:1 Million scale map was compiled for the EMODnet Geology project (lithology). 

Geology data formats.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
ShapefileFree ArcGIS Explorer
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download Offshore Shapefiles
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore-Offshore Shapefiles
infomar_emodnet_geology_wp4_pre-quaternary_seabed_geology.shp
EMODnet Geology Download
Sea-floor (bedrock) lithology
ShapefileFree ArcGIS ExplorerArcGIS
QGIS
Download Onshore Shapefiles
Select: Vector datasets-Onshore-Bedrock 
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Gravity

Gravity is the measure of the force of attraction at any point on the Earth's surface. This force will vary depending on the rock type present. Gravity surveys are used to locate sedimentary basins (regions where considerable thicknesses of sediments have accumulated). These basins are key areas of interest in the search for oil and gas reserves. Gravity is measured using on-board marine gravimeters. 

Gravity data formats.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
ESRI ArcGIS GRIDArcGIS​

Download ArcGIS GRID
Select:  ArcGIS GRIDS-Offshore ArcGIS- Gravity ArcGIS GRID 

Grid xyz (.dat)Fledermaus
Geosoft
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download xyz 
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore -Gravity
​Grid ER Mapper (.ers)​ERDAS ER Mapper
ArcGIS
QGIS
Geosoft
Free Oasis montaj Viewer
Download .ers

Select: Gridded datasets-Offshore-Gravity

Lidar

This method of surveying emits two laser light beams from a sensor on-board an airplane. The red beam reaches the water surface and bounces back, while the green beam penetrates the water hits the seabed and bounces back. The difference in time between the two beams returning allows the water depth to be calculated. Digital photographs can also be taken using a downward looking geo-referenced digital camera. We use software called Fledermaus to get the 3D effect. By using vertical exaggeration, artificial sun-shading (mostly as if there is a light source in the northwest) and colouring the depths using colour maps, it is possible to highlight the subtle relief of the seabed/landscape. These are known as "Shaded Relief Lidar Maps".

Lidar data formats.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
PDF chartFree Adobe​Download Charts
Download pdf 
Select: Offshore Charts pdf
Google (.kmz)Free Google Earth​Download kmz
Select: Google Kmz
Fledermaus .scene, .sd​Free iView4DDownload .scene
Select: Fledermaus Scenes
Note: You can click and get depth using this software.
​Geotiff (.tif)​Any image viewing software Download Geotiffs
Select: Offshore Geotiffs-Offshore Geotiffs-Lidar GeoTiffs
Grid ER Mapper(.ers)​ERDAS ER Mapper
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download .ers
Select:Select: Gridded datasets-Offshore-Lidar
ESRI ArcGIS GRID​ArcGIS Download ArcGIS GRID
Select:  ArcGIS GRIDS-Offshore ArcGIS-LIDAR ArcGIS GRID
Grid xyz(.dat)​Fledermaus,
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download xyz
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore -Lidar 

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Magnetics

Many rocks have a magnetic component and this magnetic field can be measured by a magnetometer towfish. 

These maps are used to aid in the production of geological maps and are also commonly used during mineral exploration. 

Manmade objects containing iron and other metals will also produce a magnetic field, so the magnetometer can also be used to detect shipwrecks and debris on the ocean floor.

Magnetics data formats.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
ESRI ArcGIS GRID​ArcGIS

Download ArcGIS GRID
Select:  ArcGIS GRIDS-Offshore ArcGIS-
Magnetics ArcGIS GRID

Grid xyz (.dat)Fledermaus
Geosoft
ArcGIS
QGIS ​
Download xyz 
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore -Magnetics
Grid ER Mapper(.ers)​ERDAS ER Mapper

ArcGIS
QGIS
Geosoft
Free Oasis montaj Viewer

Download .ers

Select:Select: Gridded datasets-Offshore-Magnetics


​​​​

Maps

Maps available for download

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
​PDF Map​Free Adobe

​The Real Map of Ireland

Download PDF

PDF Map​Free AdobeDownload Charts

Download pdf 
Select: Offshore Charts pdf
PDF Map

​Free Adobe

Download survey coverage maps
OnlineAny browser​View Story Maps

Seabed Habitats & Substrate

The seabed substrate map is created by grouping seabed areas that are alike. We use the bathymetry, backscatter and seabed samples data to select these areas.

EMODnet Geology WP3 Seabed substrate map. This is a broad scale map (1: 250 000 scale) collected and harmonised by the EMODnet-Geology partners. It is classified using the Folk schema (7 classes). 

INFOMAR have produced more detailed Seabed Classification maps for some areas around the Irish coast.

Seabed Habitats data formats.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
ShapefileFree ArcGIS Explorer
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download Offshore Shapefiles
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore-Offshore Shapefiles
infomar_emodnet_geology_wp3_seabed_substrate.shp
EMODnet Geology Download
Seabed Substrate map 1:250k & Seabed Substrate map 1:1M
ESRI ArcGIS GRID​ArcGISDownload ArcGIS GRID
Select:  ArcGIS GRIDS-Offshore ArcGIS-

Seabed Classification ArcGIS GRID


​​​​

Seabed Samples

We collect sediment samples from the seabed. 

Looking at the samples along with the bathymetry and backscatter maps allows us to group seabed areas of similar nature, and create seabed habitat maps.

Seabed Sample data formats.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
Shapefile​Free ArcGIS Explorer
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download Offshore Shapefiles
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore-Offshore Shapefiles
Samples_PSA.shp,Seabed_Samples.shp,Non_INFOMAR_Samples.shp
​​​

Shipwrecks

We map shipwrecks.

Shipwreck data formats.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions

Shapefile​Free ArcGIS Explorer
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download Offshore Shapefiles
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore-Offshore Shapefiles
Shipwrecks.shp
OnlineAny browser​View 3D Models

Survey Coverage & Reports

Download the Survey Coverage polygons & track lines.

You can also download the Survey Leg Reports.

​​​​​ImageFormat​Software​Instructions
PDF Map​Free AdobeDownload survey coverage maps
Shapefile​Free ArcGIS Explorer
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download Offshore Shapefiles
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore-Offshore Shapefiles
Survey_Coverage.shp,Lidar_Coverage.shp,
Non_INFOMAR_Coverage.shp,PAD_Coverage.shp
Shapefile​Free ArcGIS Explorer
ArcGIS
QGIS
Download Offshore Shapefiles
Select: Vector datasets-Offshore-Offshore Shapefiles
eg TRACKLINES_2000.shp
PDF, .doc,.xls​Free Adobe
Word
Excel
Download Reports
Select: Reports

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