Using the Smith and Sandwell 2-Minute Bathymetry Data with JOA

Smith and Sandwell is a high resolution bathymetry resource that is compatable with Java OceanAtlas 3.0. Due to the size of this data set (around 270MB), we advise you to only use small subsets.

To use the Smith and Sandwell 2 minute bathymetry data with JOA follow these steps:

1. Go to the National Virtual Ocean Data web site at: http://www.ferret.noaa.gov/nopp/main.pl
   Note: Make sure you are using a web browser compatable with NVODS. This site: http://ferret.wrc.noaa.gov/Ferret/LAS/FAQ/os_browser_table.html has a list of tested browsers. The LAS server used by NVODS is version 5.2. In development of the AOS, we have had trouble using NVODS from Netscape 7 and IE 5.5 on the Windows platform. Netscape Communicator 4.76 works on the Mac OS 9 platform.
   
   
2. In the Data Sets list, click on the link for "Smith and Sandwell 2 min topo"
   
   
3. Click the "Surface relief" link displayed below the "Smith and Sandwell 2 min topo" link.
   
   
4. Using either the map, the region popup, or the latitude/longitude text fields, define a subarea of the map. Bathymetry data will be returned for this area.
   
   
5. Set these options:
   Select View: x/y (lat/lon) slice
   Select Product: netCDF
6. Click the red "Get Data" button. You will be prompted to save the data file on your local disk drive.
   
   
7. Change the name to be compatable with JOA. The name you choose must contain the text "ETOPO2" and end with the .nc extension. Example: ETOPO2_Kodiak.nc, etopo2_Bering_Sea.nc
   
   
8. Downloaded files should be installed in the JOA_Support folder found in your JOA installation folder.
   
   
9. You will see the files you downloaded in the "Bathymetry" panel of the map dialog. You can use any of the "ROSE" colorbars to color the bathymetry.