Most people don’t think about the bottom of the ocean.
When you look at maps, the ocean is portrayed as flat blue with very few features.
however, this couldn’t be further from what the ocean looks like.
Picture huge mountains, exotic hydrothermal vent forests and features that seem other-wordly,
supporting diverse life that is just as a lien.
The ocean covers 70 percent of Earth’s surface, yet there are still so many things we do not
know about its topography or ecosystems.
There is more life in the ocean than anywhere else on Earth.
The water column is the largest yet least explored habitat, and is home to animals that
captivate the imagination.
As far down as 3.5 miles, there are species of coral over 4000 years old.
Mineral-rich, superheated water, create towering chimneys that can hold as much life per square
meter as a tropical rainforest.
It is believed that hydrothermal vents like these may be where life on Earth first began.
There are predicted to be millions of unknown species whose contribution to ocean and human
health is still unknown.
The deep ocean has already given us compounds to treat diseases and develop diagnostic tools.
Three-quarters of Earth’s volcanic activity occurs in the deep.
Data gathered from deep-sea exploration can help predict earthquakes and tsunamis, potentially
saving thousands of lives.
High resolution maps reveal new features and guide scientists to unexplored areas where
further study can take place.
A map of our seafloor will be an invaluable tool in protecting our ocean.
Thanks to game-changing technological advancements—like submersible vehicles, autonomous underwater
robots, sensors, and cameras—we now can look into the ocean like never before.
Gaining visuals and samples from our deep ocean is critical to unlocking a better understanding
of the world’s ocean.
This effort can only be achieved through cooperation and collaboration.
The ocean plays an important role in everyone’s daily lives no matter where they are on the
planet.
Ocean exploration is about making discoveries that help us better understand the world we
live in.
Exploring our ocean is key to managing, and protecting it.
Vessels like NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer,
Ocean Exploration Trusts Nautilus,
and Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Falkor
Are helping to explore our ocean, and through open data sharing, live streaming and robust
public engagement programs, are providing opportunities for everyone to get involved
and make a contribution.
Together and with other science collaborators we foster interest in what lies beneath the
ocean surface—exploring our ocean, and better understanding what it holds.