
Join SECOORA on June 23 at Noon ET for a webinar led by Dr. Matt McCarthy from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. McCarthy will present on a fully automated method used to develop 3-D high-resolution land cover maps for the entire U.S. Gulf of Mexico coastline. Multiple products, including wetland maps and bathymetry, are output from this process and mosaicked for end-user applications.
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
Click here to reserve your spot!
Download the flyer and please share.
Abstract
Very high-resolution (i.e. < 5-meter pixel) satellite imagery has proven effective to map upland, wetland, and benthic ecosystems, but challenges in data acquisition and storage, algorithm training, and image processing have prevented efficient, large-scale and time-series mapping of these data until recently. Here I will describe the Spectral and Object-based Automated Land-cover Classification of High-resolution Imagery protocol that we developed and applied to 20,000 WorldView images run on supercomputers to map land cover across the entire US Gulf of Mexico coastline. The method is fully automated and completed the mapping 200 times faster than existing methods. Multiple products, including wetland maps and bathymetry, are output and mosaicked for end-user applications.
About the Presenter

Dr. Matt McCarthy is a Research Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, home of the world’s fastest supercomputer, and earned his PhD working in remote sensing of coastal environments at the University of South Florida. He grew up in Gainesville, Florida fishing and boating on both Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and now conducts research using advanced satellite image data to map and monitor those coasts for changes caused by a variety of drivers.
Related news
Webinar | Preparing for Hurricane Season with SECOORA: Observing Systems, Data, and Tools
When a storm is approaching, having the right data matters. Join us on May 6 at 11:00 AM ET to explore how SECOORA’s observing systems, data, and tools can support hurricane monitoring and informed decision-making.
SET Webinar Series: Coastal Wetland Response in Apalachicola Bay
Join us on April 10, 2026, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM for the SECOORA SET Webinar Series, where we will explore coastal wetland change and monitoring in the Apalachicola Bay region. This webinar will bring together SET Community of Practice members and partners to examine monitoring approaches and implications for coastal resilience planning.
Funding Opportunity: Accepting Applications for 2026 Vembu Subramanian Ocean Scholars Award
Established in memory of Vembu Subramanian, this award supports the next generation of ocean professionals through mentorship, networking, and meaningful engagement at our Annual Meeting. Applications are due April 21, 2026.