The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has launched an upgraded online platform that gives the public unprecedented access to ocean floor data and deep-sea discoveries.
The modernized portal allows users to dive into underwater research findings and view remarkable imagery from ocean expeditions, including encounters with unique marine life found thousands of feet below the surface.
Among the fascinating discoveries featured in the database are deep-sea creatures like the lizardfish, which was photographed during a 2018 Atlantic Ocean expedition called “Windows to the Deep.” The fearsome-looking fish was captured on camera at a depth of approximately 1,771 meters, or 5,810 feet, off the U.S. Southeast coast.
The enhanced data portal represents NOAA’s commitment to making ocean exploration findings more accessible to researchers, educators, and curious members of the public who want to learn about the mysteries of the deep sea.
The timing of the portal’s launch coincides with Earth Day, highlighting the importance of ocean conservation and scientific research in understanding our planet’s underwater ecosystems.
Users can now browse through years of expedition data, photographs, and scientific observations collected during NOAA’s ongoing efforts to map and study the ocean floor.
