Scientists Create World's First Digital Map of Seafloor's Geology

Looks like we're getting closer and closer to discovering the final frontier on our own planet.

Knowing the patterns of distribution of sediments in the global ocean is critical for understanding biogeochemical cycles and how deep-sea deposits respond to environmental change at the sea surface. We present the first digital map of seafloor lithologies based on descriptions of nearly 14,500 samples from original cruise reports, interpolated using a support vector machine algorithm.

The composition of the seabed, which covers 70% of the Earth’s surface, has been mapped for the first time after 40 years. The research team from the University of Sydney’s School of Geo-sciences has created the world’s first digital map of the seabed’s geology.

Map

Now we might be closer to discovering what so many claim...Alien Bases, Atlantis, Under water Military Installations, Monster Squid...Godzilla?

Have fun.

Jude

a reply to: jude11

Without water, Earth looks like Mars.

a reply to: jude11

That is most amazing and fun with the interactive controls.

'Nifty find!

a reply to: jude11

will they be able to locate the MH370 with this?

originally posted by: combatmaster
a reply to: jude11

will they be able to locate the MH370 with this?

Good question.

If so, they could find anything from history in the depths if enough remains.

Jude

a reply to: combatmaster
It's not actually the first digital map but it is the first which overlays sediment sample data. The first global bathymetric database was created in 2008 and is used on Google Earth. Last year a higher resolution version was released.

Not only was the data acquired before the loss of MH370, it is far too low in resolution to resolve such small objects.
www.gebco.net...


There, however, localized areas which have much higher resolution data. Particularly in US waters. Again, available on Google Earth for some time.
www.ngdc.noaa.gov...

Neat, I like the blue mouse.