BATHYMETRY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN - 3°S TO 40°S

The last large scale compilation of South Atlantic Ocean bathymetry was produced by the International Hydrographic organization/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in 1978 as the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) chart 5.12. Because of a general lack of bathymetric data at the time of the compilation, the chart was presented in a generalized form, and large oceanic bottom features, i.e., the Mid Atlantic Ridge and numerous fracture zones, were deduced from a minimal amount of data. Fracture zones were placed, in a spacing sequence similar to that found in the North Atlantic Ocean and few bathymetric features were developed with great certainty.