On the use of morphometric indicators to improve and simplify the interpretation of multibeam swath bathymetric data: case studies from volcanic and non-volcanic settings

The widespread, increasing availability of high-resolution multibeam swath bathymetric data in the last years provides an opportunity to study with unprecedented detail the seafloor morphology throughout the use of morphometric parameters. These are characterized by factors that help to highlight local or general properties of the seafloor both in coastal and deep marine environment as well as in volcanic and non-volcanic settings. Here, we show some tools used over the last ten years, either new or readjusted from previously existing, which helpe to improve the interpretation and emphasize the results in terms of quantitative descriptions of the morphological features of marine landforms. We show the use of morphometric indicators to enhance: 1) the structural properties of seamounts; 2) the spatial arrangement and structural control on apparently chaotic sets; 3) the semi-automatic mapping such as the use of profile curvature to identify objects/targets outcropping from the seabed as archaeological outliers.