Research is being conducted into the development of advanced, automated processing methodology that maximizes the information content of data recorded by various instrumentation including multibeam bathymetric and sidescan sonar systems. Applications for these methods include the estimation of bottom roughness, geological provincing, estimation of acoustic backscatter strength, identification of clutter, object detection and identification, scene change detection, and underwater terrain navigation. Because of the relatively unique nature of seafloor remote sensing, much of the research involves the development of novel hybrid image processing methods that are suited to the harsh realities of the underwater mapping environment.