Digital simulation of the sea-bottom relief near the Ukrainian antarctic station «Academic Vernadsky»

Abstract

The article describes the experience of the development of the digital terrain models (DTM) of the sea-bottom near the Ukrainian Antarctic Station «Academic Vernadsky». Survey digital models were created by using existing navigation and bathymetric maps; later, models were based on detailed data of the echolocation survey that was conducted during the seasonal field research in 2014. During the processing and visualization of data, GIS and web technologies were used. DTMs provide the basis for a comprehensive study of underwater biodiversity and support the idea of the establishment of marine protected areas in the Stella Creek and Skua Creek straits near the station «Academic Vernadsky».