Seafloor Mapping In Partnership with Colleen Peters By: Ashley
Landis
Slide 3
What is Seafloor Mapping? Seafloor mapping is a process in
which scientists figure out formations and depths on the ocean
floor using a specific method and then create a visual
representation. The original method included using lines with
weights attached to figure out depth, but now most scientists use a
sonar (the use of underwater sound projectors) to create the maps
more accurately. There are two sonars that scientists use:
multibeam and side scan. Multibeam measures the depth of the
seafloor by measuring the time it takes for sound to travel from
the boat to the seafloor and back, using an echo. The side scan
sonar creates an image of the seafloor by measuring the strength of
the return echo. This sonar can find areas that have rocks, sand,
dark, or light water just through the loudness of the return
echoes. Multibeam Sonar Side Scan Sonar
Slide 4
National Geographic and Seafloor Mapping This sound clip is
directly from the National Geographic website, directly explaining
all of the new ways seafloor mapping is being done around the
world, how it is done, and its importance.
Slide 5
Purposes of Seafloor Mapping Seafloor mapping helps scientists
know how Earth works and the giant underwater system it contains.
Questions like how does continental drift work, how does the ocean
floor form, and why do deep currents flow the direction they do,
can all be successfully answered with the information gained from
seafloor mapping. Also, with a more updated and accurate map of the
ocean floor, scientists can find underwater landforms such as
hydrothermal vents and volcanoes, and then research how these
formations affect the animals and environment around them. The
information seafloor mapping provides to the world aids many jobs
and businesses in working efficiently and safely. Hydrothermal
vents near the Galapagos Islands
Slide 6
Bathymetric Charts Seafloor mapping allows scientists to create
bathymetric charts. A bathymetric chart serves the same purpose as
a topographic map, but instead of being on land it maps places
underwater. These charts use information from seafloor mapping to
represent the different depths underwater using colors and a
corresponding key. Bathymetric charts are useful because they are a
more visual and understandable way to convey information that may
be difficult to understand elsewhere. Bathymetric Chart of Loihi
Seamount
Slide 7
Google Earth Application Uses Sea Floor Mapping This video is
just one example of how seafloor mapping is used in modern
programs. This program, Google Earth, is a very commonly used
software that allows the user to explore the Earth through a screen
in their very own living room. This video explains the new
underwater details that the creators of Google Earth were recently
able to include because of the information received about seafloor
mapping. This is just one way how seafloor mapping can be
subliminally put into a program and help many people have a further
understanding of just how important knowledge of our seafloor
is.
Slide 8
Oregon State University in Relation to Seafloor Mapping This
projects purpose is to gain knowledge of the effects of underwater
volcanic and hydrothermal activity on the ocean. This project
requires continuous monitoring of the spreading centers in the
oceans to detect the chemical, physical, and geological effects of
the tectonic activity. Without the maps of the seafloor that
scientists are continuously creating, this project could not
successfully function. If you would like to learn more about this
project, feel free to click the link below:
http://oregonstate.edu/cimrs/seafloor- processes-0
Slide 9
Conclusion Seafloor mapping is a very useful way of collecting
information. Through different processes, scientists can find the
many depths in the ocean, the terrain of the seafloor, the amount
of light in the water, and landforms of all sizes. These details
and many more can be found successfully with two types of sonars:
multibeam and side scan. After gathering information by the
numbers, some scientists then create a chart showing the different
depths underwater. These charts are called bathymetric charts.
Also, many people may create a variety of pictures of the seafloor
using that original information to be understood in their own way
of learning, like Google Earth. With all of the different programs
that include seafloor mapping, a wider range of people have a
higher chance of realizing how much effort scientists put into this
specialized mapping and just how important it is in this
world.