NASA has released a detailed map of the ocean floor, thanks to observations taken from space. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, launched in 2022, allows scientists to see the ocean floor in new ways. By filling in vast gaps in data collected by ships, SWOT provides a higher resolution picture than previous satellites.
The maps reveal features that were previously unknown, including rolling abyssal hills and undersea volcanoes called seamounts. These features are revealed through gravity-based data, which show the stronger gravitational pull of these features compared to their surroundings.
The new maps have practical applications, such as helping submarines navigate safely through previously mysterious ocean terrains. They also inform the work of laying down and repairing underwater telecommunication cables that keep people connected across the globe.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/nasa/634086/ocean-floor-map-satellite-nasa-cnes