A Comparison of Seafloor Classification Methods Through the Use ...

Benthic Classification Methods
Seafloor Classification efforts falls behind that of terrestrial classification because of the
nature of collecting observational data under water (Difficult to collect, $$$, Time)
Types of data available:
– Sample collection, the acquisition of remotely sensed data (sidescan sonar, multibeam
sonar, seismic), and observational video groundtruth data
Common types of classification:
By single variable
– Depth
– Substrate
Image classification techniques:
– Spatial analysis
• Spatial filtering
• Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derivatives (slope, aspect, plan, profile)
Previous work on the Oregon seafloor Conducted @ Heceta Bank ( Nasby-Lucas et
al., 2002; Whitmire, 2003).
July 17 th , 2006 MS Thesis Defense