Abstract
The oceans remain one of Earth's most enigmatic frontiers, with approximately 75% of the world's oceans still unmapped to modern standards. To overcome this, interpolation serves as the primary method for creating seamless coverage from incomplete coverage hydrographic data sets and is essential for creating a seamless digital bathymetric model (DBM) compiled from sparse bathymetric datasets and set-line spacing surveys. While methods for quantifying the uncertainty in depth measurements are well-researched, interpolation introduces unqualified depth uncertainties. This study aims to estimate and characterize these uncertainties which are essential to nautical charting, and navigational safety, and important in many other fields.
Organized into two source data scenarios, the research focuses on uncertainties arising from randomly sampled data and set-line surveys. It employs three widely recognized deterministic interpolation methods—Linear, Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), and Spline— across five testbeds that vary in slope and roughness. The goal is to identify the interpolation method with the lowest uncertainty and unravel the relationships between interpolation uncertainty and three ancillary parameters (distance to the nearest measurement, slope, and roughness) for estimating interpolation uncertainty.
By sampling complete seafloor coverage sonar depth data at different densities and line spacings, the study interpolates across entire testbed areas using the chosen methods. Uncertainty is calculated by comparing interpolated depths against the true depths for independent points. The resulting uncertainties are analyzed statistically and spatially to assess consistency across interpolation methods and determine the interpolation method that yields the least interpolation uncertainty. Linear regression and machine learning techniques (neural networks and random forest) are used to model the relationship between these uncertainties and ancillary parameters to estimate uncertainty.
Evaluation across the five testbeds, encompassing both random sampling and set-line spacing scenarios, reveals the following: 1) Spline performs better than Linear and IDW in estimating depths from a purely scientific perspective; however, 2) differences among the interpolation methods are not statistically significant and minimal from an operational standpoint; 3) sampling density, line spacing, and spatial scales impact uncertainty; 4) roughness is the most important parameter and distance the least important; 5) relationships between ancillary parameters and uncertainty are weak though statistically significant.
The findings of this work suggest the presence of unaccounted-for factors shaping uncertainty or indicate a strong random component within interpolation uncertainty yet lay a foundational understanding for improving the estimate of uncertainty in DBMs within operational settings. Future research recommendations involve exploring supplementary predictors to enhance the predictive capacity of ancillary parameters. Additionally, innovative approaches such as spectral analysis for uncertainty estimation hold promise in advancing methodologies within this domain.
Presenter Bio
Elias Adediran is a young passionate surveyor from Nigeria with a core geomatics background. He holds a National Diploma with distinction and a first-class Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying and Geoinformatics from the Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos, Nigeria, respectively. After graduation, he joined one of the leading offshore survey companies in Nigeria as a hydrographic surveyor and data processor where he participated in various surface and subsea positioning and geophysical survey project campaigns in the Gulf of Guinea for the oil and gas exploration and development projects.
Elias is currently a Graduate Research Assistant at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in Ocean Engineering: Ocean Mapping. His research focuses on employing a multidisciplinary approach to characterize and estimate uncertainty in interpolated bathymetry. During his time at the Center, Elias earned the FIG/IHO/ICA Category A certification, received multiple scholarship awards, and participated in scientific expeditions on the Atlantic and the Pacific, among other accomplishments. In his free time, Elias enjoys spending time with his wife, Faatimah, memorizing the Qur’an, and reciting Arabic poems.
Publication Date
2-8-2024
Document Type
Presentation
Recommended Citation
Adediran, Elias, "Filling the Bathymetric Gaps: Toward Quantifying and Characterizing Uncertainty in Interpolated Bathymetry" (2024). Seminars. 434.
https://scholars.unh.edu/ccom_seminars/434