Multibeam data were measured as part of the project HERMES during R/V Polarstern cruise ARK-XXII/1 (2007-05-29 to 2007-07-25) along transits and survey profiles and partly during stationary work. Data were achieved mainly in the coastal areas of northern Norway, at the Hakon Mosby Mud Volcano at the continental margin approx. 200 nm off the norwegian coast and the AWI-Hausgarten area approx. 150 nm west of Svalbard. A number of surveys were carried out in the coastal areas of northern Norway (Sula Reef, Roest Reef, Traena area, Floholmen area, Sotbakken area) and around the area of the Hakon Mosby Mud Volcano.The multibeam sonar system Atlas Hydrosweep DS-2 (Atlas Hydrographic, http://www.atlashydro.com) was operated using 59 beams and 90° aperture angle. The refraction correction was achieved using CTD profiles measured during this cruise or, during transits, utilizing the system's own cross fan calibration. The quality of data might be reduced during bad weather periods or adverse sea ice conditions (only in the AWI-Hausgarten area). This dataset contains raw data that are not processed and thus may contain errors and blunders in depth and position.

Multibeam data were collected to extend the global database of seafloor topography and to provide high resolution bathymetry for the expedition's scientific program. The raw multibeam sonar data in SURF format are compressed as TAR archive with GZIP. One dataset contains a measurement period not exceeding twelve hours. SURF data files can be processed i. e. using the software packages CARIS HIPS/SIPS (http://www.caris.com/products/hips-sips) or with the open source software package MB-System (http://www.mbari.org/data/mbsystem/MB-System_index.html). The source code for an application programming interface (API) to read and write SURF data, is released by the Hydrosweep manufacturer Atlas Hydrographic, Bremen. Contact mailto:infobathy@awi.de for data access.