About

Our work

The General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) consists of an international group of experts in ocean mapping. We develop and make available a range of bathymetric data sets and data products.

GEBCO is involved in creating and making available data sets and maps showing the shape of the seafloor. Rather than being a flat and featureless plain, the seafloor consists of deep basins, vast mountain chains and long ocean trenches. This landscape helps steer ocean currents that in turn affect climate, and influences hazards facing coastal communities like approaching tsunamis.

Access the GEBCO Strategy 2024 - 2030 to find out more about GEBCO's vision and mission (234 KB).

Access a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about bathymetry data, GEBCO and its work.

Access images showing the shape of the seafloor

• 3D images of the shape of the seafloor
• World ocean bathymetry visualizations from the GEBCO_08 Grid
• GEBCO Undersea Feature Names Gazetteer
• Imagery at the US NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
• History of Oceanography imagery collections from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Photo Library

Find out more about our work, our organisation and the people involved.

Scholars from the Nippon Foundation/GEBCO Training Programme (class of 2010/2011) have produced a video about GEBCO and mapping the seafloor:

Hear about the perspectives of the impact of the programme from GEBCO colleagues and scholars.