GEBCO
Use GEBCO for 15 arc-second global ocean bathymetry combining satellite altimetry with ship soundings, the standard reference for seafloor depth worldwide.
Format
NetCDF / GeoTIFF
Geometry
Raster bathymetry
Coverage
Global (ocean + land)
Resolution
15 arc-seconds (~450 m)
About this dataset
General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) global bathymetric grid at 15 arc-second resolution combining satellite altimetry and ship soundings for seafloor mapping.
GEBCO is a global bathymetric dataset produced under the joint auspices of IHO and IOC (UNESCO). The GEBCO 2023 grid provides 15 arc-second (~450 m) resolution seafloor topography derived from satellite altimetry and shipborne echo soundings. It is the standard reference for ocean depth and is available as a continuous global grid in NetCDF and GeoTIFF formats.
How to download
- 1 Visit the GEBCO gridded bathymetry data page to review the available grid versions and formats.
- 2 Select the GEBCO 2023 grid and choose NetCDF or GeoTIFF format for your workflow.
- 3 Download the full global grid file (several GB) or use the sub-area extraction tool if available.
- 4 Load the bathymetric grid in QGIS or a NetCDF-compatible tool; note that GEBCO includes both land and ocean values, with land derived from a global DEM.
FAQ
How does GEBCO differ from ETOPO1?
GEBCO focuses on ocean bathymetry at 15 arc-second (~450 m) resolution using the latest satellite altimetry and ship soundings, while ETOPO1 is a coarser 1 arc-minute (~1.8 km) product combining older sources. For modern ocean depth work, GEBCO is the higher-quality choice.
Does GEBCO include land elevation?
Yes. GEBCO grids include land elevations derived from a global DEM (currently a blend of SRTM and other sources), but the primary strength is ocean bathymetry. For detailed land terrain, use SRTM or Copernicus DEM instead.