Curious about how and why scientists map the ocean floor? Learn more about bathymetry: the study of underwater floors in oceans, rivers, or lakes! Just like dry land, the surface of the seafloor is not always flat––it can have coral reefs, mountainous ridges, deep canyons, and many other features that can be revealed in bathymetric data. Check out our latest ocean fact to learn more about what bathymetry is and why it is important: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/bathymetry.html | NOAA Ocea

Over the next several days, we're going to explore how seafloor mapping truly is the foundation for healthy oceans and a healthy planet. We'll start by looking at how we use sonar systems to map the seafloor, one "ping" at a time: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/world-oceans-day-2015/mapping-the-seafloor-one-ping-at-a-time.html | NOAA Ocean Exploration

Today (March 26) is the final dive of the Beyond the Blue: 2025 ROV and Mapping Shakedown expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. Today's dive will focus on engineering objectives and take place at a depth of approximately 1,100 meters (3,610 feet) off the western coast of Oʻahu. We're on the seafloor (after encountering the slowly swimming sea cucumber in the video during our descent). Join the dive live: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/livestreams/welcome.html | NOAA Ocean Exploration