FORMAT OF THE GAZETTEER 



The first section of the gazetteer is an alphabetized, cross-referenced list of names used for undersea 

 features. The second section lists the same names within blocks bounded by parallels and meridians at 30° 

 intervals as shown on the map which accompanies that section. 



The first column of the gazetteer contains both approved and unapproved (variant) names. Those names 

 which are unapproved are italicized and cross-referenced to the approved form by use of the word "see." 



The second column contains designations that identify the kind of topographic feature to which the name 

 applies. The designator is usually the same as the generic term (see "NAMING POLICIES AND PRO- 

 CEDURES") in the approved name. However, it will differ when a generic that is not properly descriptive 

 under BGN definitions is retained as part of the name because of established usage. 



The third and fourth columns contain geographic coordinates, with the longitude based on Greenwich. 

 Coordinates are taken at the center of the feature and serve only for identification. 



NAMING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 



BGN policies and procedures applies to standardization of the approved names in this gazetteer are 

 listed below. These generally agree with those used by the IHO. i 



1. The BGN will consider name proposals for undersea features in international waters through its 

 ACUF. 



2. Naming a feature requires that its character, extent, and position be identified. Positions shall 

 be given in terms of geographic coordinates. 



3. It is a long-established BGN policy to favor short and simple names. 



4. Almost all feature names consist of a specific term and a generic term, e.g., in the name "Conway 

 Ridge" the specific term is "Conway" and the generic term is "Ridge." 



A. Procedures for selection of specific terms: 



(1) Specific terms in the names of major undersea features should indicate, if feasible, the general 

 location of the area in which they lie, e.g., Mariana Trench, Ninetyeast Ridge. 



(A) In some cases, this can be accomplished simply by using the same specific term in the 

 names of adjoining features, e.g., Aleutian Basin, Aleutian Ridge, Aleutian Trench; 

 Mariana Ridge, Mariana Trench; Bellona Plateau, Bellona Reefs, Bellona Shoal. 



(B) In some cases, the specific term may indicate direction from a large well-known associated 

 feature, e.g.. South Honshu Ridge, West Caroline Basin. 



(C) In cases where extent of a long linear feature needs to be identified and the extremi- 

 ties can be identified by named geographic features, the names of those features may 

 be hyphenated as the specific terms, e.g., Azores-Gibraltar Ridge, Peru-Chile Trench. 



(D) Canyons, since they usually extend close to the shore, are normally given the names of 

 rivers, points, or other readily identifiable named land features as specific terms, e.g., 

 Hudson Canyon, Barrow Canyon, and Norfolk Canyon. 



VI 



