Satellites expose mysteries of the deep ocean

New global seafloor map is most accurate ever created

new map charts the depths of Earth’s oceans

SUNKEN SURFACE  A new map charts the depths of Earth’s oceans (Atlantic shown) in unprecedented detail using satellite data. Warm colors correspond to formations such as mountains and continental shelves; bluer colors represent deeper areas such as trenches.

Google Earth, overlay by D.T. Sandwell/Scripps Institution of Oceanography

A new comprehensive map of Earth’s seafloor reveals never-before-seen features hidden deep below the waves, including thousands of uncharted underwater mountains.