Question

Why is it important to have maps of the ocean floor, such as those gathered with SeaBeam technology

Answer 1

Since oceans cover 71% of the Earth’s surface, understanding what the seafloor looks like, and where different processes, such as ocean currents are active, is hugely important. Mapping the seafloor helps to work out things like where different types of fish live, where resources may be, such as rare metals and fossil fuels, and whether there is a risk of underwater landslides happening that might cause a tsunami. Mapping the seafloor is very challenging, because some cannot use the same techniques that some would use on land. To map the deep ocean, there's a tool used called a multibeam echo-sounder, which is attached to a ship or a submarine vessel.