New satellite maps reveal hidden underwater mountains worldwide
The SWOT satellite, supported by NASA, has uncovered previously unknown underwater peaks, offering a fresh perspective on Earth's geology. Data from space will enable a better understanding of deep currents, tectonic changes, and potential mineral-rich sites.
NASA scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing thousands of hidden underwater formations, such as mountains and hills lurking on the ocean floors. This is all thanks to the SWOT satellite, a joint project between NASA and the French space agency CNES, which has provided detailed data, allowing for mapping the seafloor with unprecedented precision. This facilitates a better understanding of geological changes and uncovers new mineral deposits.
A detailed map of the ocean floors across the whole planet
It turns out that we have more detailed maps of the Moon's surface than those of the ocean floor—a gap scientists have been trying to close for years. New data shed light on Earth's geology and ecology, revealing mysteries that have remained unseen until now. A team supported by NASA has made a significant advance, publishing one of the most detailed seafloor maps to date. The map was created using data from the SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) satellite, a joint mission of NASA and the French space agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales).
Seafloor maps play a vital role in various practical applications, including ship navigation, underwater cable installation, and hazard detection. Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer from NASA highlights that understanding the ocean floor is essential not only for current industries but also for emerging economic opportunities, such as deep-sea mineral extraction, improving maritime transport efficiency, and supporting military operations.
Thanks to data from the SWOT satellite, scientists can now better understand deep currents and geological processes, such as plate tectonics. Underwater mountains and hills influence the movement of heat and nutrients in the depths, attracting marine life and creating oases in the barren parts of the seafloor.
The SWOT satellite, launched in December 2022, measures the water height over nearly the entire Earth’s surface, including oceans, lakes, and rivers. This measurement allows scientists to create topographic maps of water surfaces, which are useful for monitoring sea ice changes and tracking flood progress.
The SWOT satellite observes Earth's waters from orbit
David Sandwell from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who has been analyzing satellite data to study the ocean floor since the 1990s, points out that the SWOT satellite represents a significant advancement in seafloor mapping. This technology could substantially expand the catalog of known underwater elevations, potentially more than doubling the current count and providing greater insights into Earth's geological past.
International collaboration
The SWOT mission is a result of international collaboration, in which the Canadian Space Agency and the UK Space Agency also participate. Thanks to these joint efforts, the satellite provides high-resolution water surface measurements, helping scientists to better understand Earth's water cycle, ocean currents, and seafloor topography.
With these discoveries, scientists are getting closer to their goal of fully mapping the seafloor by 2030, which will provide an even greater understanding of the processes occurring on our planet.
