24/7 Space News
WATER WORLD
Advancements in Global Seafloor Mapping Highlighted at UN Ocean Conference
illustration only
Advancements in Global Seafloor Mapping Highlighted at UN Ocean Conference
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 11, 2024

Recent submarine incidents with uncharted seamounts underscore the urgent need for comprehensive seafloor mapping. A recent study revealed 19,000 new seamounts, bringing the total to approximately 43,000 known structures taller than 1,000 meters. Despite this, a vast majority remain unmapped.

Bathymetry, the science of measuring the depth of water bodies, plays a crucial role in creating accurate nautical charts. This discipline is not only vital for navigational safety but also crucial for understanding ocean currents, climate models, geological hazards, resource exploration, and marine conservation efforts.

Currently, only about 25% of the seafloor is mapped with high-resolution using ship-borne echosounders, capable of detailed mappings at 10m resolution. Alternative methods like satellite altimetry offer broader coverage but lack the resolution to detect smaller features, useful only for identifying larger-scale structures.

Professor Dr Lars Rupke, head of the Seafloor Modeling Group at GEOMAR, emphasized the critical importance of ship-based surveys for detailed mapping. He advocates for integrating data collected during research vessel transits to enhance seamount mapping efforts systematically.

In line with enhancing global seafloor mapping, Dr Rupke shared, our vision is to achieve a comprehensive and openly accessible seafloor map by 2030. This goal aligns with the ambitions of the global Seabed 2030 project and was highlighted during the United Nations Conference on the Decade of the Ocean in Barcelona, where GEOMAR and Seabed 2030 signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on this initiative.

Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of GEOMAR, highlighted the importance of data sharing for successful international cooperation. The agreement with Seabed 2030 marks a significant milestone towards realizing the objectives of the UN Decade of the Oceans which aims to protect and sustainably use marine resources.

Jamie McMichael-Phillips, Director of Seabed 2030, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with GEOMAR, noting the strengthened collaboration with their extensive science team and the German research fleet enhances the global ocean mapping community and supports the GEBCO mission.

Related Links
Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WATER WORLD
Greece to launch new marine parks at global oceans meet
Athens (AFP) April 8, 2024
Greece, hosts of this year's global conference on protecting oceans, will launch two new marine parks as part of multi-billion-euro pledges expected from 120 participating states and entities, organisers said on Monday. Delegates at the April 15-17 Our Ocean Conference include 12 heads of state, around fifty ministers and officials, and representatives from 120 nations and entities, including the UN, EU and NATO. "This is the biggest environment conference ever held (in Greece)," Environment and ... read more

WATER WORLD
Australia PM unveils plan to overhaul economy, invest in green energy

We have the watch: NASA Crew-9 visits Space Delta 4

US, Russian, Belarus ISS colleagues return to Earth

Voyager 1's Data Transmission Issue Traced to Memory Corruption, Fix in Progress

WATER WORLD
Russia cancels rocket launch for second day running

SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites ahead of two weekend launches

DARPA awards Phase Four with contract for Very Low Earth Orbit Propulsion System

Starship's Third Launch: A Glimpse into the future of reusable launch vehicles

WATER WORLD
Looking back at Hinman Col: Sols 4146-4147

Perseverance uncovers a watery past on Mars

Continuing up the Channel: Sols 4139-4140

An Intriguing Mess: Sols 4141-4143

WATER WORLD
Shenzhou 17 astronauts complete China's first in-space repair job

Tiangong Space Station's Solar Wings Restored After Spacewalk Repair by Shenzhou XVII Team

BIT advances microbiological research on Chinese Space Station

Chang'e 6 and new rockets highlight China's packed 2024 space agenda

WATER WORLD
A stellar role for ESA

Sidus Space Launches Commercial Mission Control Center Services

Iridium acquires Satelles, Unveils enhanced time and location solutions

Eutelsat OneWeb approves Hughes' LEO satellite connectivity terminal

WATER WORLD
Top games including 'World of Warcraft' to return to China

3D-Printing Breakthrough at University of Florida Enhances Affordability and Sustainability

On-surface synthesis of carbyne: An sp-hybridized linear carbon allotrope

Sierra Space unveils Eclipse satellite buses: Velocity, Horizon, and Titan

WATER WORLD
New insights into Earth's carbon cycle offer clues for habitability of other planets

First 'glory' on hellish distant world

CHEOPS identifies phenomenal 'Glory' on distant exoplanet WASP-76b

Uncovering the thermal pathways to life's origins

WATER WORLD
The PI's Perspective: Needles in the Cosmic Haystack

The Persistent Ices of Kuiper Belt Object 486958 Arrokoth

New study reveals potential "ice bombs" among Kuiper Belt Objects

Unlocking the Secrets of Eternal Ice in the Kuiper Belt

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.