Technical advances in hydrographic studies of the seafloor and the progressive use of
these techniques in oceanographic expeditions with scientific objectives, is generating greater
collaborations between the hydrographic and oceanographic institutions. Coordination between the
different institutions and the use of IHO criteria in the acquisition of bathymetric data in
oceanographic expeditions, allow regional hydrographic offices to have an additional source of data
for the improvement of the navigation charts. Meanwhile the Oceanographic Institutions will benefit
by having validated bathymetric data of high precision. This product is of great interest in studies of
submarine geological hazards where is necessary to have a very detailed knowledge of the seabed to
determine possible morphological changes associated with the risk processes and the possible active
structures. In addition, monitoring of active volcanoes need to have a good knowledge of changes in
the physico-chemical properties of the water column, the possible changes in low intensity emissions
(hot water, gas) can be detected with these studies in the overlying water masses.Versión del edito
