Pockmarks of the Mediterranean region seas: A Comprehensive Geodatabase for Marine Geomorphological Analysis

Abstract We present a high-resolution georeferenced database of pockmarks documented on the Mediterranean region seas by using different geophysical technologies (e.g. multibeam, seismic reflection) carried out during oceanographic expeditions. Pockmarks are probably the most ubiquitous morphologies...

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Main Authors: Daniele Spatola, Marzia Rovere, Daniele Casalbore, Francesco Latino Chiocci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Data
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05369-y
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author Daniele Spatola
Marzia Rovere
Daniele Casalbore
Francesco Latino Chiocci
author_facet Daniele Spatola
Marzia Rovere
Daniele Casalbore
Francesco Latino Chiocci
author_sort Daniele Spatola
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We present a high-resolution georeferenced database of pockmarks documented on the Mediterranean region seas by using different geophysical technologies (e.g. multibeam, seismic reflection) carried out during oceanographic expeditions. Pockmarks are probably the most ubiquitous morphologies linked to the fluid flow processes at the seafloor with a density up to 3.4 features per km2. They vary from sub-circular to elongated in plan-view and have U- or V-shape in cross section. Through georeferencing over 7,516 pockmarks from the recent literature, we have built an active and systematic database with the aim of incorporating significant data on these seafloor morphologies. The database can have a number of applications: it can be used to assist submarine infrastructure planning (e.g. pipelines, offshore wind farms), ecological study (e.g. pockmarks are habitat for sensitive benthic communities), and natural resource appraisal (e.g. hydrocarbon reservoirs, gas hydrates, offshore groundwater). Moreover, it can serve as a significant tool of scientific investigation, allowing to understand fluid flow processes and marine geosystems.
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spelling doaj-art-375c5887f4ed4b27ae2f6bcac3dd856a2025-08-20T02:36:50ZengNature PortfolioScientific Data2052-44632025-06-011211710.1038/s41597-025-05369-yPockmarks of the Mediterranean region seas: A Comprehensive Geodatabase for Marine Geomorphological AnalysisDaniele Spatola0Marzia Rovere1Daniele Casalbore2Francesco Latino Chiocci3Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza UniversityInstitute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, Sapienza UniversityAbstract We present a high-resolution georeferenced database of pockmarks documented on the Mediterranean region seas by using different geophysical technologies (e.g. multibeam, seismic reflection) carried out during oceanographic expeditions. Pockmarks are probably the most ubiquitous morphologies linked to the fluid flow processes at the seafloor with a density up to 3.4 features per km2. They vary from sub-circular to elongated in plan-view and have U- or V-shape in cross section. Through georeferencing over 7,516 pockmarks from the recent literature, we have built an active and systematic database with the aim of incorporating significant data on these seafloor morphologies. The database can have a number of applications: it can be used to assist submarine infrastructure planning (e.g. pipelines, offshore wind farms), ecological study (e.g. pockmarks are habitat for sensitive benthic communities), and natural resource appraisal (e.g. hydrocarbon reservoirs, gas hydrates, offshore groundwater). Moreover, it can serve as a significant tool of scientific investigation, allowing to understand fluid flow processes and marine geosystems.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05369-y
spellingShingle Daniele Spatola
Marzia Rovere
Daniele Casalbore
Francesco Latino Chiocci
Pockmarks of the Mediterranean region seas: A Comprehensive Geodatabase for Marine Geomorphological Analysis
Scientific Data
title Pockmarks of the Mediterranean region seas: A Comprehensive Geodatabase for Marine Geomorphological Analysis
title_full Pockmarks of the Mediterranean region seas: A Comprehensive Geodatabase for Marine Geomorphological Analysis
title_fullStr Pockmarks of the Mediterranean region seas: A Comprehensive Geodatabase for Marine Geomorphological Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Pockmarks of the Mediterranean region seas: A Comprehensive Geodatabase for Marine Geomorphological Analysis
title_short Pockmarks of the Mediterranean region seas: A Comprehensive Geodatabase for Marine Geomorphological Analysis
title_sort pockmarks of the mediterranean region seas a comprehensive geodatabase for marine geomorphological analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05369-y
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AT francescolatinochiocci pockmarksofthemediterraneanregionseasacomprehensivegeodatabaseformarinegeomorphologicalanalysis