Undersea Features
There are approximately 4800 undersea features with names approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) currently in the Geographic Names Data Base (GNDB) and made available via the GEOnet Names Server (GNS). There are a total of approximately 8900 names in the database including variant (cross-reference) names and features for which there is no BGN-approved name. The BGN approves undersea feature names based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Undersea Features (ACUF). ACUF is charged with recommending BGN policy for totally-submerged undersea features which lie outside the territorial sea (as recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) of all coastal states. Undersea features within the territorial sea of he United States are handled by the BGN Domestic Names Committee (DNC) in coordination with ACUF.
Tips
Using GNS for Undersea Feature Names:
- Access the GEOnet Names Server (GNS) web site
- Select GNS Search located at the top of the light blue-shaded column on the left
- In the Country Code scroll-down window select UNDERSEA FEATURES (UF)
- Enter all other relevant search parameters
Information for submitting name proposals
The Advisory Committee on Undersea Features welcomes proposals for new undersea feature names. Excel worksheet and portable document format (.pdf) versions of the proposal form are available. For questions on policy conformance and the list of acceptable generic terms, please consult the standardization policy document. Proposals may be mailed to the address on the proposal form or emailed to underseafeatures@nga.mil.
ACUF Statement on Commemorative Naming of Undersea Features
