Google diving into 3D mapping of oceans

[kristopher]

Google diving into 3D mapping of oceans

We've got Google Earth and Google Sky. Next up will be a map of the world below sea level--Google Ocean.

The company has assembled an advisory group of oceanography experts, and in December invited researchers from institutions around the world to the Mountain View, Calif., Googleplex. There, they discussed plans for creating a 3D oceanographic map, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The tool--for now called Google Ocean, the sources say, though that name could change--is expected to be similar to other 3D online mapping applications. People will be able to see the underwater topography, called bathymetry; search for particular spots or attractions; and navigate through the digital environment by zooming and panning. (The tool, however, is not to be confused with the "Google Ocean" project by France-based Magic Instinct Software that uses Google Earth as a visualization tool for marine data.)
"We hope that one of the outcomes of Google Ocean will be an understanding of how much remains to be explored."
--Stephen P. Miller, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Asked to comment on Google Ocean, a Google spokeswoman said the company had "nothing to announce right now."

Oceanography researchers, however, say such a tool would be incredibly useful.

"There is no real terrain or depth model for the ocean in Google Earth," said Tim Haverland, a geospatial application developer at the Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "You can't get in a submarine and in essence fly through the water and explore ocean canyons yet."

Google Ocean will feature a basic layer that shows the depth of the sea floor and will serve as a spatial framework for additional data, sources said, adding that Google plans to try to fill in some areas of the map with high-resolution images for more detail...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9931412-7.html?part=rss

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. We'll find those sea serpents yet!

[Poll_Blind]

4. I wanna get my BLOOP on!

"Bloop"

PB

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. Cthulhu!

[Canuckistanian]

6. Isn't that fascinating

"it would have to be, reportedly, much larger than even a Blue Whale"

[Poll_Blind]

2. Francisco Scaramanga, R'Lyeh and the nation of Israel have all requested that....

...gray boxes be placed over certain portions of their underwater geography for various security reasons.

PB

[Orrex]

3. IA! Cthulhu!