FIRST LOOK: Google Ocean in Pictures

[Dover]

February 2, 2009

Exploring the oceans no longer requires a wetsuit.

Ocean in Google Earth, which launched today, builds on the free, popular 3-D mapping software Google Earth by allowing users to navigate underwater in unprecedented clarity. (See new Google Earth ocean pictures.)

New "layers" to the satellite-based software include topographic maps of the seafloor; locations of shipwrecks and algal blooms; and even maps of the tiny phytoplankton that provide the bulk of the ocean's food chain.

Within the layers, users can explore multimedia features that combine data and maps with videos, quizzes, and other interactives.

(Related story: "Google Earth, Satellite Maps Boost Armchair Archaeology" .)

The new fish-eye view—accessible via a free upgrade—aims to provide a public platform for users to talk about the oceans, said John Hanke, director of Geo Products at Google.

"It really is a means... of raising geographical awareness of oceans and … the pressures that are being put on life in the ocean," he added....cont'd


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/01/photogalleries/google-ocean-pictures-gallery/index.html


http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/

[BlooInBloo]

1. Been playing with it all night!

I was a bit disappointed that the "google ocean" is really only a new layer, but it's still cool.

I guess it would be a bit much to expect google to actually go video the entire ocean floor, eh? It's nice to have high expectations of *something* American, for a change, though.


EDIT: Google's Earth blog: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/

EDITEDIT: No, that's not simcity, that's MY city. :)

h ttp://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4181/googleearthiskewl2oh2.jpg

[Wabbajack_]

2. Neat!