Mapping marine geohazard features: cartographic criteria, map legend and layout of magic project

Shared criteria for the interpretation and cartographic representation of marine geohazards, developed through a collaborative and iterative effort involving the entire Italian marine geology community was one of the main outcomes of the MAGIC project. To ensure homogeneous mapping, bathymorphological interpretation was prioritized over other criteria such as unevenly distributed seafloor sampling or seismic profiles and, given that the geohazard potential of many seafloor features is often uncertain, all morphologies are mapped. Interpretation and representation criteria were refined through repeated testing in prototype areas, inter-group comparison, and successive revisions until consensus was reached. The involvement of Civil Protection as end users further strengthened the process. Mapping is organized from Physiographic Units (1:250,000) to Morphological Units and Morphobathymetric Elements (1:50,000), using a project-specific symbology with geometric, morphological, and genetic meaning. The cartographic criteria and the map legend used for all the maps produced in the Magic project and in this special volume are illustrated.