The map we still need

I stumbled across a project that fascinated me: The Nippon Foundation–GEBCO Seabed 2030. In a world where we can see images of galaxies millions of light-years away, we still don't have a complete map—and therefore, a complete understanding—of our own planet.

This international effort seeks to change that. Its goal is clear and monumental: to map 100% of the planet's ocean floor by 2030, and to do so in an open, collaborative, and accessible way for everyone.

In July 2020, I shared on this very blog a reflection that came up constantly at my outreach events. (Link) Many participants were surprised to learn that we have better maps of Mars or the Moon than of our own oceans. And my answer was always the same: it's not a lack of scientific interest, but rather that much of the underwater data is classified, protected for reasons of national defense and military strategy.

I used to say that we certainly have more and better maps of the seabed, but that the public doesn't have access to them. And now, with Seabed 2030, that's starting to change.

From a scientific perspective, this project is a gem. The topography of the seabed influences ocean currents, biodiversity, tsunami formation, and global climate. Without a detailed map, we are—literally—navigating blind in many respects.

In terms of safety, having accurate maps is vital for navigation, laying submarine cables, responsible resource exploration, and responding to natural disasters.

And from a technological standpoint, Seabed 2030 is an impressive deployment: multibeam sonar, autonomous underwater vehicles, artificial intelligence, and collaborative platforms that integrate data from multiple sources. It's cutting-edge science, applied to a profoundly human purpose: to better understand ourselves.

What inspires me most is that this project isn't just for scientists or governments. Any individual or institution with bathymetric data can contribute. It's an open invitation to collaborate on a map that will be a treasure for all humanity.

In a time when we talk so much about exploring other worlds, Seabed 2030 reminds us that there are still vast territories to discover right here, beneath the waves. And that understanding them is key to protecting them.