Samoa - West Upolu, 2004, Bathymetry Chart No: 8, 1 to 50 000 #2

This record holds the bathymetry chart of West Upolu, Samoa. The chart is the result of the multibeam bathymetry survey that was undertaken by the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC) of SPC around the South Eastern point of Upolu and Savai for 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 near-shore 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 and XYZ datasets available from a separate record . This work was initiated by the SOPAC/EU Reducing Vulnerability of Pacific ACP States Project (Task no.: NR 1.1.1). The result of the survey conducted in this area is presented as Chart 8 of the Samoa High resolution bathymetric survey and can be downloaded from this record under the Distribution Infor section with appropriate permission from the Secretariat.The bathymetry chart also includes smaller-scale insets of 3D images, slope angle and shaded relief maps.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 on Chart 8The predominantly flat and featureless Apolima Strait shown to the north of Chart 8 drops off at slope angles locally exceeding 60o. A 2-3.5 km-wide terrace lies below the shelf break in water depths of 600-1200 m. The terraces incised by numerous channels that continue into 2000 m water depths.