ARC MARINE: THE ARCGIS MARINE DATA MODEL

Geodatabase
Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation

Shorelines
Interface between land and water, shoreline change analyses for erosion/accretion, hazards, planning
Derived from coastal survey maps, nautical charts, aerial photos, LIDAR
Linear features
Can be animated/modeled based on map units to represent tidal variance
Typical map scales range from 1:5000 to 1:20,000; locational accuracy typically 10 m
Line symbology drawn with varying weights annotated with VDatum; national cartographic standards often used

Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation

Tracks and Cruises

Shiptracks during a cruise, tracks of vehicles towed from a ship or deployed from a ship untethered, autonomous
Shipboard or vehicle GPS logs storing time, date, and position
Linear features
Tracks have a direction with time stamps along route, particularly keep sampling stations
Typical map scales range from 1:24,000 to 1:50,000; locational accuracy ~10 m
Line symbology drawn with varying weights and patterns, annotated with date/time and ship/vehicle

Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation
Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation

Geometry Polygon
Contains M values No
Contains Z values No

Simple feature class

MeshElement
Allow
Data type nulls

Field name
Shape
OBJECTID
FeatureID
FeatureCode
Node1ID
Node2ID
Node3ID
Node4ID
Shape_Length
Shape_Area

Table
Mesh
Allow
Data type nulls

Field name
OBJECTID
MeshID
TotalPoints
NoOfPointsI
NoOfPointsJ
NoOfPointsK
Type

Time Duration Features

Fisheries or algal bloom trawls, marine protected area boundaries, habitats, drifter tracks, oil spills
Derived from survey maps/charts, legal definitions, clipping/masking; various measuring devices
Linear and polygonal features
Size, shape, area and direction change over time; may be animated
Typical map scale is 1:24,000; locational accuracy ~10 m
Line and polygon symbology with varying weights, patterns and fills

Object ID
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer

Default value

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Precision Scale Length

Domain

0
0
0
0
0
0

MeshType

Geometry
Object ID
Long integer
String
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Double
Double

Default value

Relationship class
ParameterHasData

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

255
0
0
0
0
0
0

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Forward label MeshPoint

Backward label Mesh

Origin table

NameMeshPoint

Shape
OBJECTID
FeatureID
FeatureCode
IPosition
JPosition
KPosition
MeshID
PointType

No relationship rules defined .

TimeSeries Locations
Variations in time of variables measured at fixed observations stations at sea and onshore
Fixed or moored measuring devices such as hydrophones, acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCP), ocean bottom seismometers (OBS), tide gauges
Point features
Points can be related to center of a grid cell or associated to a time series or numerical model
Typical map scales range from 1:10,000 to 1:24,000; locational accuracy ~10 m
Point marker symbology with associated instrument attributes

Geometry
Object ID
Long integer
String
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer

Default value

Relationship class
MeshPointHasVectors

Instantaneous Measured Points

Variations in space of variables measured at a given moment in time through the water column
Instrument casts such as conductivity-temp-depth (CTD), expandable bathythermograph (XBT), sound velocity profile (SVP), fish density, etc.
Point features, vertical profiles
Points can have varying depths associated to a single location, as well as multiple measurements
Typical map scales range from 1:10,000 to 1:24,000; locational accuracy ~10-50 m
Point marker and linear symbology annotated with associated instrument attributes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Field name

Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation

Location Series Observations

Tracking a series of recorded instances of a given species with varying time intervals
Telemetry recorders and transmitters, animal/bird sightings, ship-mounted ADCP
Multipoint features, often with line symbols to establish animal track
Multipoints can have varying depths associated to multiple locations, grouped into a series based upon ID
Typical map scales range from 1:10,000 to 1:24,000; locational accuracy ~10-50 m
Point and line symbology annotated with species type

Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation

Survey Transects
Geomorphic, sediment transport, or hydrodynamic analyses along profiles or cross-sections, subsurface profiling
Derived from bathymetry, scientific mesh, one-dimensional hydrological models; measured by sub bottom profilers
Interpolated, linear profile view of a surface or subsurface
Cross-sections perpendicular to shoreline or flowline; profiles at varying azimuths to align with surface control point or baseline
Typical map scale is 1:24,000; locational accuracy ~10 m
Line symbology for surface; often for subsurface tone, contrast and balance of grayscale according to data values

Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation
Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation
Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation

OBJECTID
ParameterID
Name
Description
Type
Unit
SignificantDigits

0
255
0
0
0
0
0

Relationship class
MeshPointHasScalars
Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Forward label ScalarQuantity

Backward label MeshPoint

Origin feature class

NameVectorQuantity

No relationship rules defined .

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Long integer
String
String
Long integer
String
Long integer

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Default value

Domain

Precision Scale Length

0

Point feature class

FeaturePoint

ParameterType

Object ID
Long integer
Long integer
Double
Double
Double
Date

Default value

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

Point feature class

InstantaneousPoint
Line feature class
ProfileLine

Line feature class

Shoreline

Table
ScalarQuantity

255
255
0

Relationship class
ParameterHasScalars

255
0

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Destination table

Name MeshPoint
Primary key FeatureID
Foreign key FeatureID

NameScalarQuantity

OBJECTID
FeatureID
ParameterID
DataValue
TimeValue

Destination table

Name Parameter
Primary key ParameterID
Foreign key ParameterID

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

Forward label Scalar

Backward label Parameter

Origin table

No relationship rules defined .

NameScalarQuantity

Object ID
Long integer
Long integer
Double
Date

Default value

Simple feature class

TimeDurationArea

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

0
0
0
0

Point feature class

TimeSeriesPoint

0
0

Point feature class

Track

No relationship rules defined .

List of defined default values and domains for subtypes in this class

Subtype
Description

Field name

NodePoint
GridPoint

No values set
No values set

2
1

Table
Parameter

No relationship rules defined .

OBJECTID
FeatureID
ParameterID
XComponent
YComponent
ZComponent
TimeValue

Destination table

Name Parameter
Primary key ParameterID
Foreign key ParameterID

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

Forward label Vector

Backward label Parameter

Origin table

NameVectorQuantity

Yes

Subtype field PointType

Default subtype 1
Subtype
Code

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Destination table

Name MeshPoint
Primary key FeatureID
Foreign key FeatureID

Subtypes of MeshPoint

Layer
Map Use
Data Source
Representation
Spatial Relationships
Map Scale and Accuracy
Symbology and Annotation

Relationship class
ParameterHasVectors

Forward label VectorQuantity

Backward label MeshPoint

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Line feature class

FeatureLine
Table
VectorQuantity

0
0

Geometry Point
Contains M values No
Contains Z values Yes

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

Destination feature class

Name Mesh
Primary key MeshID
Foreign key MeshID

NameMeasuredData

No relationship rules defined .

Origin feature class

Simple feature class

MeshPoint

Destination table

Name Parameter
Primary key ParameterID
Foreign key ParameterID

Simple feature class

FeatureArea

Forward label MeasuredData

Backward label Parameter

Origin table

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Relationship class
MeshHasPoints

Feature dataset
MarineFeatures

Default value

Domain

Feature dataset
ModelMeshPoints

Mesh Elements

Point feature class

MeshElement
Point feature class
MeshPoint
Relationship class
CruiseHasTracks

Table
Cruise
Field name
OBJECTID
CruiseID
Code
Name
Type
Status
Description
StartDate
EndDate
ShipName

Scientific Mesh
Mapping output of finite element models, hydrodynamic and hydrologic models, sea surface temperatures
Numerical models and satellite data sets
Regularly or irregular spaced point features, scalars or vectors; raster, TIN model
Attribute values can be used to create interpolated surfaces of magnitude with point values representing direction
Map scale varies and locational accuracy can range from 1 m to 1 km depending on data
Rendered with graduated point symbols to reflect magnitude, rotated to represent direction; may be animate
Mesh Volumes
Pelagic or open water environment
Derived features from scientific meshes, point data from stationary, fixed, suspended, or floating devices
Extended cube or hexagonal pillars stacked to represent volumetric areas
Volumes can be related to mesh points between varying depths, or from bathymetry to sea surface
Map scale varies and locational accuracy depends on data type and resulting volume calculation
May be polygonal with varying 3D base heights; applied transparency

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Long integer
String
String
String
String
String
Date
Date
String

Default value

OBJECTID
Shape
FeatureID
FeatureCode
Shape_Length

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Bathymetry and Backscatter

Terrain analysis, benthic habitat classification, morpho-tectonic interpretation, cartographic background
Interpolation of irregularly- or regularly-spaced single or multibeam soundings, LIDAR
Raster with depth or backscatter intensity, TIN surface model
Coincident with point from which it was derived, or interpolated; if raster, each cell has a depth, if TIN each face joins to form surface
Typical map scales and locational accuracies for shallow regions are 1:2400/1 m, or 1:20,000-1:50,000/100 m for deep ocean
Usually shown with graduated colors; may be overlain with contours

0
0

OBJECTID
Shape
FeatureID
FeatureCode
Shape_Length

Default value

Thematic
Layers

The

Shape
OBJECTID
FeatureID
FeatureCode
StartDate
EndDate
VehicleID
CruiseID
TrackID
Name
Method
Description
LocalDesc
Shape_Length

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Default value

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

OBJECTID
MarineEventID
FeatureID
FromLocation
ToLocation
DataValue

Precision Scale Length

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Relationship class
MeshPointHasVectors

0
0
0
0
0
0

OBJECTID
Shape
FeatureID
FeatureCode
Shape_Length
Shape_Area

Shape
OBJECTID
FeatureID
FeatureCode
VDatum
Shape_Length

Relationship class
ProfileLineHasSurveyKeys
Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None
Origin feature class

Name ProfileLine
Primary key FeatureID
Foreign key FeatureID

Object ID
Geometry
Long integer
String
Double
Double

Default value

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Object ID
Long integer
Long integer
Double
Double
String

Default value

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

0
0
0
0

OBJECTID
Shape
FeatureID
FeatureCode
SeriesID
StartDate
EndDate
Shape_Length
Shape_Area

0
0
255

Geometry Polyline
Contains M values Yes
Contains Z values No

Geometry
Object ID
Long integer
String
Double
Double

Default value

Object ID
Geometry
Long integer
String
Long integer
Date
Date
Double
Double

Relationship class
CruiseHasTracks

0
255
0
0

Table
MarineEvent

0
0

Table
MeasuredData

Geometry Polygon
Contains M values Yes
Contains Z values Yes

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

Table
Cruise

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Simple feature class

TimeDurationArea

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

255
0

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

Geometry Polygon
Contains M values No
Contains Z values No

Simple feature class

FeatureArea

255
8
8

0
0

100
100
100
100

Simple feature class

Shoreline

0
0

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Yes

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

255
0

Geometry
Object ID
Long integer
String
Date
Date
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
String
String
String
String
Double

Default value

Table
MarineEvent

Geometry Polyline
Contains M values Yes
Contains Z values Yes

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Geometry
Long integer
String
Double

0
0

NameTrack

No relationship rules defined .

255
100
100
60
100
8
8
100

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

Destination feature class

Name Cruise
Primary key CruiseID
Foreign key CruiseID

Simple feature class

ProfileLine
Field name

Origin table

Relationship class
MeshPointHasScalars

Geometry Polyline
Contains M values Yes
Contains Z values Yes

Simple feature class

Track

Forward label Track

Backward label Cruise

Geometry Polyline
Contains M values Yes
Contains Z values No

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Geometry
Long integer
String
Double

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Simple feature class

FeatureLine
Field name

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Default value

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Table
Measurement

0
255
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

Relationship class
MeasurementHasData

8
8

Table
MeasuringDevice

Marine Areas

Relationship class
MeasuringDeviceHasData

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Table
Mesh

0
255
0
0

0
0

Relationship class
MeshHasPoints

Forward label SurveyKey

Backward label ProfileLine

Table
Parameter

Destination table

NameSurveyKey

No relationship rules defined .

Marine Lines

Relationship class
ParameterHasData
Relationship class
ParameterHasScalars
Relationship class
ParameterHasVectors
Geometry Point
Contains M values No
Contains Z values No

Simple feature class

TimeSeriesPoint
Allow
Data type nulls

Field name
Shape
OBJECTID
FeatureID
FeatureCode
CruiseID
Relationship class
TSTypeHasTimeSeries

Coded value domain

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

TSIntervalUnitType

Description
Field type Long integer
Split policy Default value
Merge policy Default value

Origin table

Code

Description

Hour

4
5

Day
Week

Month

Year

1
2

Forward label TimeSeries

Backward label TSTypeInfo

Relationship class
SurveyHasSurveyKeys

Table
SurveyInfo

Second
Minute

Field name
OBJECTID
SurveyID
StartDate
EndDate
Description
DeviceID
TrackID

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Long integer
Date
Date
String
Long integer
Long integer

Default value

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Precision Scale Length

0
0
0

0
0

8
8
255

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None
Origin table

Name SurveyInfo
Primary key SurveyID
Foreign key SurveyID

Forward label SurveyKey

Backward label SurveyInfo
Destination table

NameSurveyKey

No relationship rules defined .

Table
TSType

Table
SurveyKey
Field name
OBJECTID
SurveyID
FeatureID

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Long integer
Long integer

Default value

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Yes
Yes

Allow
Data type nulls

OBJECTID
TSTypeID
Variable
Units
IsRegular
TSInterval
DataType
Origin

0
0

NameTimeSeries

No relationship rules defined .

Field name

0
0

Destination table

Name TSType
Primary key TSTypeID
Foreign key TSTypeID

Object ID
Long integer
String
String
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer

Default value

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Domain

Precision Scale Length

1
Default value
2

Other

Name SurveyInfo
Primary key SurveyID
Foreign key SurveyID

Scalar

Vector

Coded value domain

AHBoolean
TSIntervalType
TSDataType
TSOrigins

Field name
Description

1
Default value
2

Linear
Area

OBJECTID
Shape
FeatureID
FeatureCode

0
0
0
0

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Geometry
Long integer
String

Yes
Yes
Yes

Default value

Domain

Precision Scale Length

0
255

Field name
OBJECTID
VehicleID
Name
Type

OBJECTID
SeriesID

Description

10Minute
15Minute

20Minute

30Minute

10

1Hour

11
12

2Hour
3Hour

13

4Hour

14

6Hour

15

8Hour

16
17
18
19

12Hour
1Day
1Week
1Month

20

1Year

99

Other

Name Instantaneous
Point

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Long integer
String
String

Default value

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes

Precision Scale Length

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

100
100

Object ID
Long integer

Yes

Default value

Domain

Shape
OBJECTID
FeatureID
FeatureCode
CruiseID
TimeValue
ZValue
SurveyID
SeriesID
PointType

Precision Scale Length

Allow
Data type nulls
Geometry
Object ID
Long integer
String
Long integer
Date
Double
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer

Subtype
Code
3
1
2

Marine Points

ID
X,Y
Z
Examples:
marker buoy,
transponder,
other fixed
geography

Recorded
Generated

Description

True
False

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

TSDataType

Description

Cumulative
Incremental
Average
Minimum

OBJECTID
MeasurementID
FeatureID
FeatureClass
ZLocation
XLocation
YLocation

255
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name

Relationship class
SurveyInfoHasPoints

Table
SurveyKey

Destination table

Relationship class
SurveyHasSurveyKeys

Name MeasuringDevice
NameMeasuredData
Primary key
Foreign key DeviceID
DeviceID
No relationship rules defined .

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Long integer
String
String
Long integer

Forward label MeasuredData

Backward label MeasuringDevice

Default value

Domain

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Table
TimeSeries

Precision Scale Length

0

Table
TSType

100
100
0

Object ID
Long integer
Long integer
String
Double
Double
Double

Default value

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Domain

Precision Scale Length

0
0

Origin table

Name Measurement
Primary key MeasurementID
Foreign key MeasurementID

Forward label MeasuredData

Backward label Measurement
Destination table

NameMeasuredData

No relationship rules defined .

255
0
0
0

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

0
0
0

Table
VectorQuantities

Table
MeasuredData
Field name
OBJECTID
MeasurementID
ParameterID
DeviceID
DataValue

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Double

Default value

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Domain

Precision Scale Length

0
0
0
0

Table
Vehicle

List of defined default values and domains for subtypes in this class
Field name

Survey
Instant
LocationSeries

No values set
No values set
No values set

Default value

Domain

Measurement Points

Instant
Subtype

Location Series
Subtype

ID
X,Y,
Z or DZ
t,
m1...m 2
Examples:

ID
DX,Y,
DZ
m1...m 2
t1...t 2

Subtype

E.g., single beam

bathy

Coded Value Domains

Marine Areas

The dynamic and multidimensional nature

of marine data can be captured in many
ways. Some of the sensors and collection
techniques produce high-resolution data
with submeter accuracy. The amount of
data collected presents a challenge, some
sensors will produce one gigabyte of data
per survey/day, while others stream a
gigabyte per hour.
Image courtesy of the Neptune Project, www.neptune.washington.edu, University of Washington Center for Environmental Visualization

Feature
Area

Time Duration
Area

ID
X1,Y1,X2,Y2...X1,Y1
Z
m
Examples:
Marine boundaries
(e.g.,sanctuary , MPA),
habitats,
patches, lava
flows, clipping,
masking

ID
X1,Y1,X2,Y2...X1,Y1
Z
m
t1...tn
Examples:
No-take
zones,
oil spills ,
harmful algal
bloom

Examples:

telemetry , bird/
mammal
sighting, ship
mounted ADCP

Survey
Subtype

Time Series
Point

ProfileLine

ID
fixed X,Y,
Z or DZ
m1...m 2
t 1...tinfinity

ID
X, Y
M 1,M2
Z1,Z2...
Examples:

Examples:
current meter,
moored ADCP at
DZ, obs. buoy,
hydrophone,
OBS at single Z

E.g., aerial coastal

survey , LIDAR,
SCUBA/free swim obs

Inside the geodatabase

Feature Lines

Instantaneous Points

Sounding

Instantaneous

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Subtype
Description

CTD, XBT, SVP casts at

DZ, fish density , tide
gauge , etc. at surface
or a single Z

Maximum

0
0

Common Marine Data Types

Description

0
0
0
0

Time Series and Measurements

Coded value domain

1
Default value
2
3
4

Default value

Relationship class
MeasurementHasData

Table
Measurement

Yes

Subtype field PointType

Default subtype 1

AHBoolean

Description
Field type
Split policy Long integer
Merge policy
Default value
Code

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Table
SurveyInfo

Precision Scale Length

Subtypes of InstantaneousPoint

Feature Points

1
Default value
0

Domain

Coded value domain

Description
Field type
Split policy Long integer
Merge policy
Default value
Code

Geometry Point
Contains M values No
Contains Z values No

Simple feature class

InstantaneousPoint

TSOrigins

1
Default value
2

Object ID
Long integer
Long integer
Date
Double

Default value

Relationship class
TSTypeHasTimeSeries

Coded value domain

Description
Field type
Split policy Long integer
Merge policy
Default value
Code

Allow
Data type nulls

Table
MeasuringDevice

Destination feature class

2Minute
3Minute

6
7

OBJECTID
FeatureID
TSTypeID
TSDateTime
TSValue

OBJECTID
DeviceID
Name
Description
VehicleID

1Minute

4Minute
5Minute

Field name

Origin table

Table
Vehicle

Geometry Point
Contains M values No
Contains Z values No

Field name

4
5

Table
Series

Relationship class
MeasuringDeviceHasData

Forward label SurveyPoint

Backward label SurveyInfo

Table
Series

TSIntervalType

1
Default value
2
3

255
0

Table
TimeSeries

Field name

Volume

Coded value domain

Description
Field type
Split policy Long integer
Merge policy
Default value
Code

Table
ScalarQuantity

No relationship rules defined .

Simple feature class

FeaturePoint

MeshType

Description
Field type
Split policy Long integer
Merge policy
Default value
Code

Origin table

Yes
Yes
Yes

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Relationship class
SurveyInfoHasPoints

Description

Yes

255
255

ParameterType

Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None

Precision Scale Length

Domain

Coded value domain

Description
Field type
Split policy Long integer
Merge policy
Default value
Code

Geometry
Object ID
Long integer
String
Long integer

Default value

Relationship class
ProfileLineHasSurveyKeys

Time Duration Line

Track

ID
X1,Y1,X2,Y2...
M1,M2...
Z1,Z2...
for abstracting data from
,
m1,m2...
building profile from,
t1,t2...
measuring change along...
Examples:
seismic reflection ,
transit ship track ,
bathy profile,
cross-section, ROV or sub track,
algal bloom trawl ,
sed transport line
ADCP tracks,
where M is GIS geometry
measure, rather than a
ARGO drifter

measurement from an
instrument in the field(m)

Feature Line

geodatabase elements are managed in standard DBMS tables using standard SQL data types.These are
some of the structural elements of a geodatabase that you will use to develop your geographic data model.

ID
X1,Y1,X2,Y2...
M1,M 2...
Examples:
cable, pipeline, sea
wall, ocean front, EEZ
or
legal boundaries NOT
enclosing an area

Table

Feature dataset
Contains spatially-related feature classes together with
the topology and network objects that bind them.
Feature classes in a feature dataset have a spatial
reference.

Regularly
Interpolated
Surfaces
row1,col1...rown, coln
Zr,c1...Zr,cn
multipoint

Examples:
multibeam bathy,
sidescan, LIDAR,
SST, climatology,
scientific mesh,
re-analyzed
products
(images such as
GeoTIFF, BIL, etc.)

Irregularly
Interpolated
Surfaces

Predefined fields
ObjectID
Shape

User-defined fields

row1,col1...rown, coln
Zr,c1...Zr,cn
multipoint

Examples:
TINs, bathymetry,
sidescan, LIDAR,
scientific mesh for
finite element
model, etc.

MeshVolume
ID
X1,Y1,Z1,X2,Y2,Z2
...X1,Y1,Z1
m or m1...mn
t or t 1...tn
ncols,nrows,nlayers
in scientific mesh ,
multipatch

Rows

Domain Columns
Defines a set or range of valid
values for a field.
Description

0
1
2

shoreline type,
VDatum

Features

Integrity rules that define the behavior of

geographically-integrated features.
Feature class

Animations,
Movies,
Video

Rank

Relationship class
Associates objects from a feature class or
table to objects in another feature class or
table. Relationship classes can optionally
have user-defined fields.
Primary key Foreign key

Rules

Geometric network
Metadata document

X1,Y1,Z1,X2,Y2,Z2
...X1,Y1,Z1
t1...tn
Examples:
U/W video footage,
outputs from atm . or
circulation models
that are animated &
georegistered so
other data may be
overlain

User-defined fields

Code

Shoreline

Derived or Placeholder
Object Class

Predefined fields
ObjectID

Feature class
A table with a shape field containing point, line, or
polygon geometries for geographic features. Each row
is a feature.

Topology

Marine Rasters/Grids/Meshes

A collection of rows, each containing the same fields.

Feature classes are tables with shape fields.

Rules for managing connectivity among features in

a set of feature classes.

Can be associated with every dataset

in the geodatabase.
XML

Survey dataset

A diagram of common marine data types (see "Examples" in red),

that was developed as part of the fundamental conceptual framework
of Arc Marine, in order to develop more appropriate data structures
for representing and relating marine and coastal GIS features.
Headings in italics are some of the abstract feature classes in
Arc Marine, while other headings are feature classes or subtypes.
"m" denotes a measurement in the field, whereas "M" is a GIS
geometry measure, "t" is time.

Contains survey measurements which are used to

calculate coordinates linked to feature geometries in
survey-aware feature classes.
Survey points

Measurements

XZY Coordinates

Computations

Raster dataset
Contains rasters which
represent continuous geographic
phenomena.