NCW Maps Saudi Red Sea Seabed in High Resolution

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has contributed to a scientific study that delivers high-resolution data on the topography of the Saudi Red Sea seabed, drawing on marine surveys conducted during its 2022 Journey of the Decade expedition. The study, published in Earth System Science Data, was produced with researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and OceanX, an international organization specializing in ocean exploration and marine research. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the dataset addresses a longstanding gap in detailed seabed maps of the Red Sea and offers a scientific foundation for studying marine habitats, analyzing seabed features, and supporting marine spatial planning. For a Kingdom pursuing economic diversification and environmental stewardship under Vision 2030, the release of this open, high-resolution resource marks another step in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in marine science and ocean knowledge.

Why does mapping the seabed matter to anyone beyond the research community? The answer lies in the Red Sea’s role as one of the world’s most distinctive marine environments, home to coral reefs, deep troughs, and geological structures that remain only partially understood. The NCW-led contribution helps fill a knowledge gap that has persisted for decades, giving scientists, planners, and policymakers a clearer picture of what lies beneath Saudi Arabia’s western waters. The data were collected across approximately 860 kilometers of the Saudi coastline, from shallow waters of about two meters to depths exceeding 2,460 meters, and are now openly available in standard geospatial formats for researchers and specialists worldwide.

Context and Background

What made this particular expedition capable of producing such detailed maps? The Journey of the Decade, conducted in 2022, was a large-scale marine survey organized by the National Center for Wildlife with local and international partners. The expedition combined Saudi scientific expertise with the technical capabilities of KAUST and the ocean exploration experience of OceanX, creating a collaboration that spanned vessel operations, sonar surveying, and data processing. The result is a dataset that captures the Red Sea’s seabed in a level of detail previously unavailable for this part of the Saudi coast.

Before this study, detailed public data on the seabed in the surveyed area were limited compared with other parts of the Red Sea. That gap constrained research into marine habitats, geological processes, and the relationship between seabed topography and the distribution of marine life. The newly published dataset, processed and calibrated in accordance with the International Hydrographic Organization’s IHO S-44 standards, expands the scientific record for a strategically important maritime region and strengthens the representation of the Saudi Red Sea in global marine databases and maps.

The study’s publication in Earth System Science Data, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality data, signals that the findings meet international standards for scientific transparency and reproducibility. For Saudi Arabia, that matters because it demonstrates the Kingdom’s capacity to generate primary research of global value, not merely to consume data produced elsewhere. It also reinforces the NCW’s mandate to conserve wildlife and ecosystems while advancing knowledge that supports sustainable development along the Red Sea coast.

Key Details

What exactly did the researchers produce? The study generated digital models of seabed depths across a total area of 49,418.7 square kilometers, based on 2,863 survey lines collected using multibeam sonar systems. The models achieve a spatial resolution of five meters in shallow waters and 40 meters in deep waters, a level of precision that allows scientists to examine fine-scale features of the seafloor. Validation results showed consistent performance of the survey systems in both shallow and deep waters throughout the expedition, supporting the reliability of the resulting models.

The maps reveal a remarkable range of seabed features, including canyons and submarine slopes, as well as landforms associated with erosion, slope failures, and submarine landslides. They also show structures linked to salt movement, volcanic and tectonic features, evidence of lava flows, and fields of seabed depressions associated with fluid release from beneath the seafloor. Together, these features offer a window into the geological history and active processes shaping the Red Sea, one of the youngest ocean basins on Earth.

Dr. Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife and a co-author of the study, said the publication is one of the scientific outputs of the expedition and demonstrates the value of marine exploration in advancing knowledge of the Red Sea. “This study makes field data collected during the expedition available as an open, high-resolution scientific resource,” he said. “It expands our understanding of the Red Sea seabed, supports research into the relationship between seabed topography and marine habitats, and provides a foundation for future studies, surveys, and marine spatial planning.” He added that making the data available to researchers and specialists will support scientific knowledge of the Red Sea and contribute to international research on seabed mapping, marine habitats, and science-based management.

International and Regional Impact

How does a Saudi-led seabed survey resonate beyond the Kingdom’s borders? The dataset contributes directly to the international Seabed 2030 project, a global initiative that aims to map the world’s ocean floor by the end of the decade. By adding high-resolution information for an area of the Red Sea that has been less represented in global mapping products, the study helps close a persistent gap in humanity’s collective knowledge of the oceans. Researchers around the world can now access the data in standard geospatial formats compatible with a range of spatial analysis systems.

Regionally, the Red Sea is a shared maritime space bordering multiple countries and serving as a critical corridor for global trade. Improved seabed maps support safer navigation, better environmental management, and more informed planning for infrastructure such as ports, desalination plants, and coastal developments. For Saudi Arabia, the data also complement broader national efforts to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable use of marine resources, aligning with the Kingdom’s commitments to environmental conservation and the blue economy.

The collaboration with KAUST and OceanX further illustrates how Saudi institutions are building international scientific partnerships. Such partnerships bring together Saudi researchers, academic expertise, and global exploration platforms, creating a model for future projects that combine fieldwork, advanced technology, and open data. The study thus serves as both a scientific achievement and a demonstration of the Kingdom’s convening power in marine research.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Why should investors, planners, and policymakers pay attention to seabed mapping? Detailed knowledge of the seafloor is an economic asset as well as a scientific one. It informs marine spatial planning, which balances conservation, fishing, tourism, shipping, and energy development in crowded coastal zones. Reliable maps reduce uncertainty for infrastructure projects, help identify geohazards such as submarine landslides, and support the safe installation of pipelines and cables. In a country investing heavily in coastal development along the Red Sea, including luxury tourism destinations and industrial ports, this information has tangible strategic value.

The dataset also supports research into the relationship between seabed topography and marine habitats, which is essential for protecting biodiversity. The Red Sea’s coral reefs and deep-sea ecosystems are unique, and understanding where species live and why depends on knowing the shape of the seafloor. By making the data openly available, Saudi Arabia enables scientists to study habitat distribution, assess ecosystem health, and design conservation measures based on evidence rather than assumption. That approach reflects a modern, science-driven model of environmental stewardship.

From a strategic standpoint, the study strengthens the Kingdom’s position in global marine science and reinforces its role as a responsible steward of the Red Sea. It also supports the growth of a knowledge-based economy, in which data, research, and innovation contribute to national prosperity. The publication extends the scientific outputs of the Journey of the Decade expedition and adds to Saudi Arabia’s growing portfolio of open research contributions.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does a seabed mapping study connect to Saudi Arabia’s long-term national transformation? Vision 2030 seeks to diversify the economy, develop knowledge-intensive sectors, and enhance quality of life while protecting the environment. Marine science sits at the intersection of these goals. The National Center for Wildlife’s work supports environmental conservation, while the open data and international partnerships reflect the Vision’s emphasis on innovation, research, and global engagement. The Red Sea, a natural asset of immense ecological and economic value, is central to the Kingdom’s plans for sustainable coastal development and tourism.

The study also highlights the role of Saudi institutions in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to life below water and partnerships for the goals. By contributing to Seabed 2030 and making data freely available, Saudi Arabia demonstrates that national scientific investment can serve global public good. As the Kingdom continues to expand its research capabilities, initiatives like the Journey of the Decade will likely inspire further exploration, deeper understanding of marine ecosystems, and stronger international cooperation. The mapping of the Saudi Red Sea seabed is not merely a technical achievement; it is a clear signal that Saudi Arabia intends to be a leading contributor to the world’s knowledge of the oceans in the decades ahead.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the main achievement of the National Center for Wildlife’s new study?

A1. The NCW contributed to a scientific study providing high-resolution data on the Saudi Red Sea seabed, published in Earth System Science Data, addressing a longstanding gap in detailed seabed maps for the region.

Q2. Which organizations collaborated on this study?

A2. The National Center for Wildlife, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and OceanX, an international ocean exploration organization, contributed to the research.

Q3. When was the data for the study collected?

A3. The data were collected during the NCW’s 2022 Journey of the Decade expedition, conducted with local and international research partners along the Saudi Red Sea coast.

Q4. How long was the surveyed coastline?

A4. The marine surveys covered approximately 860 kilometers along the Saudi coast, spanning shallow coastal waters to deep areas of the Red Sea.

Q5. What depth range did the surveys cover?

A5. Surveyed depths ranged from about two meters in shallow coastal waters to more than 2,460 meters in deeper areas of the Red Sea.

Q6. What area did the digital seabed models cover?

A6. The study produced digital models of seabed depths across a total area of 49,418.7 square kilometers, based on data from 2,863 survey lines.

Q7. What technology was used to collect the data?

A7. Researchers used multibeam sonar systems to collect data along the survey lines, enabling detailed mapping of the seabed topography.

Q8. What is the spatial resolution of the models?

A8. The models have a spatial resolution of five meters in shallow waters and 40 meters in deep waters, allowing fine-scale analysis of seabed features.

Q9. What kinds of seabed features were revealed?

A9. The maps show canyons, submarine slopes, erosion landforms, slope failures, submarine landslides, salt movement structures, volcanic and tectonic features, lava flows, and seabed depressions from fluid release.

Q10. Who is Dr. Mohammad Qurban?

A10. Dr. Mohammad Qurban is the CEO of the National Center for Wildlife and a co-author of the study, who highlighted the value of marine exploration in advancing knowledge of the Red Sea.

Q11. What did Dr. Qurban say about the study’s data?

A11. He said the study makes field data available as an open, high-resolution scientific resource that expands understanding of the Red Sea seabed and supports research into seabed topography and marine habitats.

Q12. How does the study contribute to international efforts?

A12. The data contribute to the international Seabed 2030 project, which aims to map the world’s ocean floor, adding high-resolution information for a less-represented area of the Red Sea.

Q13. What standards were used to process the data?

A13. Researchers processed and calibrated the data and conducted quality checks in accordance with the International Hydrographic Organization’s IHO S-44 standards.

Q14. How was the reliability of the data verified?

A14. Validation results showed consistent performance of the survey systems in shallow and deep waters throughout the expedition, supporting the reliability of the resulting models.

Q15. In what formats is the dataset available?

A15. The dataset is openly available to researchers and specialists in standard geospatial formats compatible with a range of spatial analysis systems.

Q16. What practical uses does the dataset support?

A16. It supports mapping seabed habitats, analyzing seabed topography, planning future surveys and exploration, and informing marine spatial planning.

Q17. Why is this study important for the Red Sea region?

A17. It fills a gap in detailed public data, supports marine habitat research, and aids safe navigation, environmental management, and sustainable coastal development.

Q18. How does the study align with Vision 2030?

A18. It supports environmental conservation, knowledge-based economic growth, international research partnerships, and sustainable development of the Red Sea’s ecological and economic resources.

Q19. What is the Journey of the Decade expedition?

A19. The Journey of the Decade was a 2022 NCW-led marine expedition conducted with local and international partners to explore and survey the Saudi Red Sea.

Q20. What does the publication of this study signify for Saudi Arabia?

A20. It demonstrates the Kingdom’s capacity to produce primary scientific research of global value and reinforces its role as a leader in marine science and ocean knowledge.

---