International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO)

IBCSO is the authoritative map of the Southern Ocean with the largest database of depth measurements. With billions of soundings contributed by organisations across the globe, it portrays the Southern Ocean seafloor in so-far unprecedented detail.

IBCSO is a regional mapping initiative of the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). It is closely associated with and supported by the Nippon Foundation – GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project (Seabed 2030).

GEBCO is a project under the auspice of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. Furthermore, IBCSO is an Expert Group of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

1,491 datasets

105 organisations collected data

Pooling data from 23 countries

30+ billion soundings

25.4 % of the Southern Ocean is mapped by direct measurements!

News

IBCSO 2025 Annual Release

We are pleased to present the next update on IBCSO V2. You will find the downloads for the type identifier (TID), the regional identifier (RID), the...

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AGU 2024

AGU 2024

Dec. 9-13 | 2024, Washington, D.C., Walter E. Washington Convention Center Science has always been about the new. The now. The next. It’s what propels us, feeding our questions and inspiring our work. The constant question and answer form a rhythm,...

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HYDRO 2024 Hydrographic Conference and Exhibition

HYDRO 2024 Hydrographic Conference and Exhibition

Nov. 5-7 | 2024, Rostock-Warnemünde, Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Düne On behalf of the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS) the German Hydrographic Society (DHyG) will host the international hydrographic conference and exhibition...

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11th SCAR Open Science Conference

11th SCAR Open Science Conference

Aug. 17-24 | 2024, Pucón, Gran Hotel Enjoy The SCAR Open Science Conference (SCAR OSC) stands as the foremost global platform for Antarctic science. It unites hundreds of researchers and other stakeholders who showcase cutting-edge advancements,...

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Map the Gap Symposium 2023

Map the Gap Symposium 2023

Nov. 7, 8 | 2023, MONACO, Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Held on behalf of GEBCO, this event draws global experts in ocean technology, science and policy to discuss deep and coastal ocean exploration, offshore surveying technology, policy,...

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Instant 2023

Instant 2023

Sept. 11, 14 | 2023, Trieste, Trieste Convention Centre The INStabilities & Thresholds in ANTarctica (INSTANT) Scientific Research Programme provides a co-ordinating framework that will augment other important international research initiatives...

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