The marine geophysical mapping program of the national ocean survey

Summary form only given. The National Ocean Survey (NOS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is engaged in a long-term program to systematically map the geophysical characteristics of the continental margins of the United States and portions of the adjacent deep oceans. It is planned that two series of maps will be produced--one at a scale of 1:250,000 for the continental margin, *and another at a scale 1 :of1 ,000,000 for the deep oceans. Each map unit will contain bathymetry as a base map, with magnetic, gravimetric, and seismic properties as contoured overlays. Additionally, reports and other products will be produced. Control will be the best available. Coverage will be based upon a grid system - a scale of 1:250,000 for the continental margin, - and another at a scale of 1:1,000,000 for the deep oceans. The deep sea work is presently being undertaken as a part of the President´s International Decade of Ocean Exploration (IDOE). The continental margins will be surivne ypeadr t by NOAA ships and possibly by private contractors. The data will be available to users through the Environmental Data Service of NOAA. We hope that future programs will allow regional map atlases to be developed, including sediment properties, heat flow data, basement structure, and various physical parameters.