A Vast Portion of the Arctic Ocean seafloor Has Just Been Mapped Out

Amazing stuff! We still do not have maps of the entire ocean floors!

Note the resolution is still only 100 × 100 meter grid cells. Pretty coarse I would say!

"It was never going to be a mean feat, having the entire world’s seafloor mapped out in detail by the year 2030. Particularly when the project officially only got underway in 2017. Nevertheless, it’s a vision now one giant step closer to reality, thanks to a recent triumph in the Arctic Ocean. ..."

"The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project is pleased to announce the publication of the latest version of the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO), Version 5.0. This release adds 1.4 million square kilometers of mapping coverage – an area over three times the size of Sweden – to the global seafloor dataset.

This development represents a significant step forward in the mission to achieve a complete map of the seafloor by 2030, offering an unprecedented level of detail for the Arctic Ocean. It also provides vital insights for researchers and policymakers, contributing to safer navigation and more effective ocean exploration. ..."

From the abstract:

"Knowledge about seafloor depth, or bathymetry, is crucial for various marine activities, including scientific research, offshore industry, safety of navigation, and ocean exploration.

Mapping the central Arctic Ocean is challenging due to the presence of perennial sea ice, which limits data collection to icebreakers, submarines, and drifting ice stations. The International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO) was initiated in 1997 with the goal of updating the Arctic Ocean bathymetric portrayal. The project team has since released four versions, each improving resolution and accuracy.

Here, we present IBCAO Version 5.0, which offers a resolution four times as high as Version 4.0, with 100 × 100 m grid cells compared to 200 × 200 m. Over 25% of the Arctic Ocean is now mapped with individual depth soundings, based on a criterion that considers water depth. Version 5.0 also represents significant advancements in data compilation and computing techniques. Despite these improvements, challenges such as sea-ice cover and political dynamics still hinder comprehensive mapping."

Arctic Ocean map an "unprecedented" milestone for Seabed 2030

New Arctic Ocean map marks key milestone in global seafloor mapping (original news release)

The International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean Version 5.0 (open access)

Credits: A Vast Portion of the Arctic Ocean Has Just Been Mapped Out - Human Progress

Fig. 1 Overview maps illustrating Arctic Ocean bathymetry and source data for the compilation of IBCAO 5.0.