Seabed 2030 project aims to map the entire ocean floor | Hacker News Reader

Seabed 2030 project aims to map the entire ocean floor

seabed2030.gebco.net

59 pointsjonbaer9 comments

I would prefer they leave the oceans unexplored until we have found a way to curb our tendency to exploit any resources we find, without regard to ecosystems (which we may not even understand until the harm is done).

I'm afraid to tell you that the data already exists for quite large areas, but it's held by the very people (mining etc) that you don't want open access (as it's their IP).

This is a plan to open data to all and I think that's very commendable.

sadly this was my first reaction as well

This is interesting and I hope they find success. I couldn't tell if the data resolution is intended to be better than their posted minimums, but it seems very coarse to me if they're using state of the art multibeam tech. Even so, more information from non-invasive and non-destructive exploration of our oceans is very helpful and welcome.

At first I thought they may have intentions of making this data useful for hydrography, but it seems that type of work will remain separate. My partner does hydrographic work for Canada's ENCs (both above and below water), and the sheer scale of their data collection and processing from surveying to QA is just crazy. This project probably can't touch that degree of detail. I believe there are piles of liability involved too (hence the rigorous QA) - if someone sinks their boat using your ENC, it's your problem.

> We know the topography of the Moon and Mars in greater detail than that of our own planet.

On the surface this might seem strange, but people should understand that charting oceans is seriously demanding work, and they're very, very big. If we could do this more autonomously it would help, but apparently it's not that simple. It involved a lot of people doing both manual and mental labour for a long time.

I wonder if the resolution will be enough to locate the remains of Flight MH370? It still boggles my mind that in the modern era, we can lost something as large as Boeing 777 and despite years of seaching for it, still can't find the main portion of the wreckage. Hopefully, this project will change that.

Add some pattern recognition and this may be a thing for treasure hunters, or plane wreck site discoveries.

>> " to produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all."

So they are going to release this data? How? Open source? Or will this be a subscription service? The fact that the website is so unclear makes me think the later.

-While the cynic in me thinks you are probably right, as they would no doubt mention it if the intent was to make the data freely available, I do note that the site is hosted by the BODC which is under the NOC (UK National Oceanography Centre) umbrella.

Whenever I have worked with them, they have been quite eager to ensure their research is readily available to the interested public.

One can hope...

TL;DR: looks like the raw data will be publicly available. Charts made using the raw data will probably be licensed or offered via subscription according to existing business models?

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The FAQ page says:

Where will all the data be stored?

This critical function will be performed by the IHO Data Center for Digital Bathymetry (IHO DCDB), hosted by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Boulder, Colorado, USA, which is the recognized IHO repository for all deep ocean bathymetric data (deeper than 100m) collected by hydrographic, oceanographic and other vessels. Seabed 2030 will maintain strong working relationships with the IHO DCDB and recommend it to potential data contributors.

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and the IHO DCDB page says:

The International Hydrographic Organization Data Centre for Digital Bathymetry (IHO DCDB) was established in 1990 to steward the worldwide collection of bathymetric data. The Centre archives and shares, freely and without restrictions, depth data contributed by mariners.

The DCDB contains oceanic soundings acquired by hydrographic, oceanographic and other vessels during surveys or while on passage. Data are publically available and used for the production of improved and more comprehensive bathymetric maps and grids, particularly in support of the GEBCO Ocean Mapping Programme.

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