MGD77 File – What is .mgd77 file and how to open it?
MGD77 File Extension
MGD77 Data File – file format by National Geophysical Data Center
MGD77 (MGD77 Data File) is a compressed binary data format for surveying and mapping applications. It stores geodetic data, such as latitude, longitude, and elevation, as well as other information like feature codes and attributes.
MGD77 Data File (MGD77)
An MGD77 Data File is a data file format used by the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC). It contains marine geophysical data collected during a marine survey. The data in an MGD77 file can include bathymetry, gravity, and magnetic data. The MGD77 file format is an ASCII-based format, and the data is organized into records. Each record contains a header that identifies the type of data contained in the record, followed by the data itself.
The MGD77 file format was developed in the late 1970s, and it is still used today. It is a widely accepted format for storing marine geophysical data, and it is supported by a number of software programs. The NGDC provides a number of resources for working with MGD77 data, including a data dictionary and a software library.
Using a GIS Program
To open an MGD77 file using a GIS (geographic information system) program, follow these steps:
- Install a GIS program: Download and install a GIS program that supports the MGD77 format, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or GMT.
- Import the MGD77 file: Launch the GIS program and open the MGD77 file. The file will be loaded as a geographic dataset.
- Explore and analyze data: Once the MGD77 file is loaded, you can explore and analyze the geospatial data it contains. This may include features such as elevation, landforms, or vegetation cover.
Using a Text Editor
MGD77 files can also be opened and viewed using a text editor, such as Notepad or TextEdit. However, this method only allows you to view the raw text contents of the file, not the geographic data itself.
- Open the file in a text editor: Right-click on the MGD77 file and select “Open with” > “Notepad” or a similar text editor.
- View the file contents: The file contents will be displayed as text in the text editor. You can scroll through the file to see the different data elements, but they will not be visually represented.
MGD77 Data File Format
MGD77 is a proprietary data format developed by the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC). It is specifically designed to store and exchange marine geophysical data, primarily echo sounding data. The format was introduced in 1977, hence the name MGD77.
MGD77 files adhere to a rigid structure and contain various types of data, including bathymetric depth, navigation data such as latitude and longitude, and additional information related to the data acquisition process. The data is organized into records, each representing a specific observation or measurement point. Each record includes fields for the depth value, geographic coordinates, time stamp, and other metadata. The file structure ensures efficient data access and retrieval, making it widely used in the marine science community.