The geography along the 840 miles of California coast represents a wide variety of geologic formations and presents significant hazards and opportunities for those with the knowledge to take advantage of them. Coastal and submarine geography contribute to the bounty of life that can be found in the coastal regions, help dictate weather conditions, and create diverse recreational opportunities for people in the know. The importance of mapping both the exposed and submarine topography has not been lost on the people of California or the United States. Today, the data that has been collected helps us to in innumerable ways.
History
editSurveying efforts of the California coastline began in earnest in . Bathymetric surveys began in with crude depth sounding. Today several high tech methods from LIDAR to have been employed to map the coast.
California Mapping Projects
editThe California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) maintains a host of projects which map the BIOS, the Biogeographic Information and Observation System to
Agencies Involved with Mapping
editReferences
editExternal Links
editBathymetric Data of the California Coast
editUSGS CMG Infobank Atlas: California Bathymetry