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Broadband’s Google Earth to unveil underwater world

Secrets of the ocean floor may soon be revealed on broadband. The inky black silence, the luminous green glow of plankton, and shoals of undiscovered creatures will gradually be photographed and mapped by broadband’s Google Earth website.

Broadband’s Google Earth was launched in 2006, and has enabled web surfers to explore the intricacies of planet Earth over broadband – even flying around galaxies in space.

But soon broadband will transport Google Earth visitors from the gravity-free heights of inner space, to the murkiest depths of the ocean bed.

It is anticipated Google will announce plans to add underwater imagery and seabed maps to its broadband site at a high-profile event in San Francisco. Google’s chief executive, Eric Schmidt, will introduce dignitaries including former US vice president and environmental campaigner Al Gore.

The benefits of expanding Google Earth to Google Ocean on broadband are extensive. Aside from educating broadband surfers, it will help scientists monitor the effects of global warming, as well as enabling oceanographers to study tectonic plate activity using broadband.

From a less technical perspective, it will enable broadband visitors to take a dive into beautiful turquoise waters such as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Speaking to the Guardian, David Sandwell, professor of geophysics at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, at the University of San Diego, said: “People will understand that we know almost nothing about a lot of these places, and Google will do it for us.”

02/02/2009
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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