A new study published in Science has utilized satellite measurements to create the clearest seafloor map to date, thanks to the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission instruments. This breakthrough improves our understanding of biodiversity hot spots, plate tectonics, and tsunami propagation.
Current ship-based sonar technology has a resolution of 200-400 meters, but it is time-consuming and expensive. The Seabed 2030 project aims to map the entire ocean floor by the end of the decade using this method, but only about 25% has been imaged so far.
Satellite altimetry, which measures height variations in the ocean’s surface, is commonly used to create seafloor maps. However, it lacks resolution and can’t accurately depict features like submarine canyons. The SWOT mission measures sea surface height in two dimensions, allowing for a more detailed map of marine gravity.
The improved resolution of the new study has revealed thousands of small seamounts and enabled researchers to better characterize abyssal hills. This discovery could improve studies on ocean circulation and deep-ocean mixing, which can impact ocean temperatures and carbon dioxide absorption.
Experts praise the breakthrough, saying it represents a “huge leap forward” in seafloor mapping capabilities. The work has significant implications for fields like geodesy, ocean modeling, hydrology, navigation, and benthic ecology.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-12-satellite-major-seafloor.html