Hydrografia

Hydrografia, also known as hydrography, is the science of measuring and describing natural and artificial bodies of water and their seafloor. Its primary purpose is to provide reliable information for navigation, coastal planning, and water-resource management. Core elements include bathymetry (water depth), seafloor morphology, tidal regimes, current patterns, salinity and water quality, and the delineation of coastlines and maritime zones.

Hydrographic surveys gather data with methods such as single-beam and multibeam echo sounders, acoustic Doppler current profilers, LiDAR for shallow waters, and satellite altimetry. Positioning is tied to precise geodetic reference frames, often coordinated by international standards from the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The resulting products include nautical charts, depth databases, tidal predictions, and digital elevation models of the seabed and coast.

Historically, hydrography evolved from hand soundings and lead lines used by navigators to the adoption of echo sounding in the early 20th century, followed by multibeam sonar and autonomous survey vessels. The IHO coordinates standards for charting, surveying practices, and data exchange, while national hydrographic offices conduct most national surveys.

Applications span safe ship operations, port development, dredging, offshore engineering, flood risk assessment, environmental monitoring, and climate research. Hydrography underpins maritime boundaries and security, as well as search and rescue planning.