Seabed Surveys of Mormugao Harbour, Central West Coast of India

Abstract

Detailed echosounding, side scan sonar and shallow seismics (125 line km) covering an area of 6.2 km2 in the Mormugao harbour provided information on seabed topography, surficial distribution of sediments, their thickness and rock outcrops along with natural and man-made features. The depth in the area ranged from 2-16 m and in the navigational channel from 7-15 m. The seabed in the inner harbour and towards the offshore end was marked by even topography, whereas in the northern and northwestern part of the bay the topography was uneven. The seabed in the southern and southeastern area was covered by clays, thus masking the uneven topography. The northeastern area was largely covered with sand. Towards the offshore end the sediments were dense and compact. Rock outcrops were prominent towards the northern and northwestern side of the breakwater. The differences in the geomorphology and the distribution of sediments are attributed to the earlier topography and the influx of sediments.