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Hard and Soft Bottom Seafloor Substrate Maps Derived from an Unsupervised Classification of Gridded Backscatter at Select U.S. Locations in the Pacific

Published by Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Catalog Last Checked: August 02, 2026 at 11:20 PM | Dataset Last Updated: January 01, 2016 at 12:00 AM
Substrate, Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom: This is a preliminary product. Cell values reflect whether the seafloor is hard bottom or soft bottom based on an unsupervised classification run using ArcGIS software with the Spatial Analyst extension. The classifications are based on backscatter, bathymetry, acoustic derivatives and optical data. Please see the individual metadata records for additional information on sources used and data processing steps for each location where data are available.

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467 Benthic Habitat Mapping and Characterization in the Pacific Islands Region Mapping and EcoSpatial Information Products to Support Coral Reef Ecosystem Management in the Pacific Islands Region Geographic Information > Bathymetry Geographic Information > Habitats EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Mapping > Habitat Mapping

Complete Metadata
@type dcat:Dataset
accessLevel non-public
contactPoint 
{
  "fn": "Akridge, Michael W",
  "@type": "vcard:Contact",
  "hasEmail": "mailto:michael.akridge@noaa.gov"
}
describedByType application/octet-steam
description Substrate, Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom: This is a preliminary product. Cell values reflect whether the seafloor is hard bottom or soft bottom based on an unsupervised classification run using ArcGIS software with the Spatial Analyst extension. The classifications are based on backscatter, bathymetry, acoustic derivatives and optical data. Please see the individual metadata records for additional information on sources used and data processing steps for each location where data are available.
distribution 
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    "title": "gua-unspv-hardsoft-5m.zip",
    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(TIF), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Guam that includes specific details for the island about the methods, data quality, sources, etc.",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/cnmi-guam/benthichabitatlayers/gua-unspv-hardsoft-5m.zip",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
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    "title": "sai-unspv-hardsoft-5m.zip",
    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(TIF), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Saipan that includes specific details for the island about the methods, data quality, sources, etc.",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/cnmi-guam/benthichabitatlayers/sai-unspv-hardsoft-5m.zip",
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  {
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    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing 10-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(TIF), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Pagan that includes specific details for the island about the methods, data quality, sources, etc.",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/cnmi-guam/benthichabitatlayers/pag-unspv-hardsoft-10m.zip",
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    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom (Simrad em3002d data)---(TIF), maps (PDF and JPG), and metadata (TXT) specifically for Tutuila that includes details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc.",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/amsamoa/benthichabitatlayers/tut-em32d-unspv-5m.zip",
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  {
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    "format": "ZIP",
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    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom (Reson 8101 Data)---(TIF), maps (PDF and JPG), and metadata (TXT) specifically for Tutuila that includes details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc.",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/amsamoa/benthichabitatlayers/tut-re8101-unspv-5m.zip",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
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    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "OO_5m_hardsoft.zip",
    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(ASC), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Ofu and Olosega islands that includes specific details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc. Arc ASCII can be converted to Arc Raster using ArcToolbox Conversion Tools (ASCII to Raster).",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/amsamoa/benthichabitatlayers/OO_5m_hardsoft.zip",
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    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "tau_5m_hardsoft.zip",
    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(ASC), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Ta'u that includes specific details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc. Arc ASCII can be converted to Arc Raster using ArcToolbox Conversion Tools (ASCII to Raster).",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/amsamoa/benthichabitatlayers/tau_5m_hardsoft.zip",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Rose_40m_HardSoft.zip",
    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing 40-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(ASC), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Rose Atoll that includes details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc. Arc ASCII can be converted to Arc Raster using ArcToolbox Conversion Tools (ASCII to Raster).",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/amsamoa/benthichabitatlayers/Rose_40m_HardSoft.zip",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
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    "format": "ZIP",
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    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(ASC), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Rose Atoll that includes details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc. Arc ASCII can be converted to Arc Raster using ArcToolbox Conversion Tools (ASCII to Raster).",
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    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
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    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing 40-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(ASC), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Swains that includes details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc. Arc ASCII can be converted to Arc Raster using ArcToolbox Conversion Tools (ASCII to Raster).",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/amsamoa/benthichabitatlayers/Swains_40m_hardsoft.zip",
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    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
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    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(ASC), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Apra Harbor, Guam that includes specific details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc. Arc ASCII can be converted to Arc Raster using ArcToolbox Conversion Tools (ASCII to Raster).",
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    "title": "tin-unspv-hardsoft-5m.zip",
    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing 5-meter substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(TIF), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for Tinian that includes specific details for the island about the methods, data quality, sources, etc.",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/cnmi-guam/benthichabitatlayers/tin-unspv-hardsoft-5m.zip",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
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  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Niihau_mb_hs.zip",
    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom derived from multibeam bathymetry---(ASC), maps (PDF and JPG), and metadata (TXT) specifically for Ni'ihau that includes specific details for the island about the methods, data quality, sources, etc. Arc ASCII can be converted to Arc Raster using ArcToolbox Conversion Tools (ASCII to Raster).",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/mhi/benthichabitatlayers/Niihau_mb_hs.zip",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
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    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
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    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom derived from WorldView-2 satellite image based bathymetry---(ASC), maps (PDF and JPG), and metadata (TXT) specifically for Ni'ihau that includes specific details for the island about the methods, data quality, sources, etc. Arc ASCII can be converted to Arc Raster using ArcToolbox Conversion Tools (ASCII to Raster).",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/mhi/benthichabitatlayers/NII_wv2_hs.zip",
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  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "FFS_5m_Hardsoft.tif.zip",
    "format": "ZIP",
    "mediaType": "application/zip",
    "description": "Zip file containing substrate data---Hard bottom vs. Soft bottom---(TIF), maps (PDF and JPG), ArcGIS Layer file (LYR) and metadata (TXT) specifically for French Frigate Shoals that includes specific details about the methods, data quality, sources, etc.",
    "downloadURL": "ftp://ftp.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/website/data/nwhi/benthichabitatlayers/FFS_5m_Hardsoft.tif.zip",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
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    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset.",
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]
identifier https://data.noaa.gov/waf/NOAA/nmfs/pifsc/iso/xml/35021.xml
issued 2016-01-01T00:00:00.000+00:00
keyword 
[
  "467",
  "Benthic Habitat Mapping and Characterization in the Pacific Islands Region",
  "Mapping and EcoSpatial Information Products to Support Coral Reef Ecosystem Management in the Pacific Islands Region",
  "Geographic Information > Bathymetry",
  "Geographic Information > Habitats",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Mapping > Habitat Mapping",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Mapping > geomorphology Mapping",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs",
  "earth science > oceans > bathymetry/seafloor topography > Hard Soft Substrate",
  "earth science > oceans > bathymetry/seafloor topography > bathymetry",
  "Hard Soft Substrate",
  "surface measurements",
  "Coral Reef Conservation Program",
  "US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division; Coral Reef Ecosystem Program",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Hawaii Island (19N155W0003)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaiian Islands (21N157W0027)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands (21N157W0027)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Hawaii Island > Hawaii Island (19N155W0003)",
  "Equatorial Pacific Ocean",
  "Marianas Trench Marine National Monument",
  "NW Pacific",
  "North Pacific Ocean",
  "Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument",
  "Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument",
  "Rose Atoll Marine National Monument",
  "South Pacific Ocean",
  "SEA FLOOR",
  "CRED",
  "CREP",
  "Coral Reef Ecosystem Division",
  "Coral Reef Ecosystem Program",
  "PIFSC",
  "Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center",
  "American Samoa",
  "CNMI",
  "Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands",
  "Guam",
  "MHI",
  "Main Hawaiian Islands",
  "Mariana Islands",
  "Marianas",
  "NWHI",
  "Northwestern Hawaiian Islands",
  "PRIA",
  "Pacific Remote Island Areas",
  "West Hawaii",
  "DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC > Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce",
  "Geomorphology"
]
landingPage https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/35021
language 
[]
license https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
modified 2016-01-01T00:00:00.000+00:00
publisher 
{
  "name": "Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center",
  "@type": "org:Organization"
}
rights otherRestrictions, unclassified
spatial -155.822838,19.772429,-156.100504,20.061727
temporal 2012-06-09T00:00:00+00:00/2012-06-29T00:00:00+00:00
theme 
[
  "geospatial"
]
title Hard and Soft Bottom Seafloor Substrate Maps Derived from an Unsupervised Classification of Gridded Backscatter at Select U.S. Locations in the Pacific

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