Modelling Bathymetric Uncertainty

Abstract

Modelling depth measurement uncertainty during data collection and processing has become common practice since the release of S-44 4th Edition (IHO, 1998). Hydrographic Offices have also attempted to model uncertainty of legacy bathymetry in order to determine their fitness for various uses. Additional uncertainty can be introduced into representative bathymetry models by various gridding techniques that interpolate depths between measurements. This article reviews sources of measurement uncertainty, looks at methods for estimating uncertainty in legacy data sets and uncer-tainty that is introduced into bathymetry (digital elevation/depth) models (DEMs/DDMs) by gridding. Applications that could benefit from bathymetric/DEM/DDM uncertainty information include bridge risk management and tsunami inundation modelling.Keywords: bathymetry, uncertainty, digital elevation models