Samoa- West Savai, 2004, Bathymetry Chart No 1, 1 to 50 000 #1

This record holds the bathymetry chart of the Western foreshore areas of Savai, Samoa. The chart is the result of the multibeam bathymetry survey that was undertaken by the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC) of SPC in between the island of Upolu and Savai in the EU-SOPAC Samoa Survey.
High-resolution bathymetric mapping survey was carried out ,resulting in the acquisition of over 2754 line-km of MBES data for the whole of Samoa Survey. The entire survey achieved 100% coverage of the seafloor from approximately 50 m depth in the nearshore area to an average offshore distance of 10 km, reaching water depths of some 1500 m. The resultant data compilation was used to produce bathymetry charts. These new bathymetric maps provide a descriptive picture of the ocean bottom terrain, vividly revealing the size, shape and distribution of underwater features. They serve as the basic tool for scientific, engineering, marine geophysical and environmental studies, as well as for marine and coastal resource management. The result of these survey is presented as Chart 1 of the Samoa High resolution bathymetric survey.The objective of the survey was to investigate the seabed and provide information about water depths around the islands using a multibeam echosounder (MBES). These new bathymetric maps provide a descriptive picture of the ocean bottom terrain, vividly revealing the size, shape and distribution of underwater features. They serve as the basic tool for scientific, engineering, marine geophysical and environmental studies, as well as for marine and coastal resource management.DESCRIPTION OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES for SAMOA, SAVAI, CHART 1 SURVEY AREA:A narrow shelf runs along the northern and southern coasts of Savai’i island,terminating at a shelf break in approximately 150 m water depths. The break exhibits an average slope angle of around 40o. Note that the vessel surveyed across the shelf in a water depth of around 100 m at the western extent of the island. The seafloor is relatively featureless except for a few bathymetry highs at the southwestern corner.