December 5, 2024

Scientists are making a detailed map of the sea floor in Antarctica

4 min read
Scientists are making a detailed map of the sea floor in Antarctica
  • Jonathan Amos
  • BBC News Science Reporter

map of the southern ocean

attributed to him, IBCSO / AWI / NIPPON / SEABED2030

Illustrative image,

New map traces the shape of the ocean floor around Antarctica

Scientists have created the most accurate map ever of the mountains, valleys, and plains that make up the ocean floor around Antarctica.

This graph covers 48 million square kilometers, and for the first time shows the new deepest point – a depression at 7,432 meters deep called the Factor Deep.

Knowing the shape of the ocean floor is essential to safe navigation, marine conservation, and an understanding of Earth’s climate and geological history.

But there is still much to learn. Vast areas of land have not been properly observed.

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