A stunning interactive map of special marine areas found in United States' waters was recently released. The Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI), National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Skytruth and National Geographic joined forces to present this information on the web and on Google Earth. If you have access to Google Earth, it is great fun to zoom in on the terrain neighboring these regions and do a little exploring.
Areas described by the project include these locations:
- Arctic Ocean - Beaufort Sea
- Aleutian Islands
- Gulf of Alaska Seamounts
- Puget Sound
- Juan De Fuca Ridge
- Monterey Canyon
- Channel Islands
- Gulf of Mexico – Salt Domes
- Dry Tortugas
- Puerto Rico Trench
- Charleston Bump
- Outer Banks
- Gulf Stream
- Hudson Canyon
- Georges Bank
Quoting from the MCBI web page: "Few of us realize that the US possesses huge expanses of underwater real estate. At 4.4 million square miles, the ocean floor under US jurisdiction is 25% larger than the US landmass. America's ocean realm is a rich mosaic of places, from icy fjords to tropical coral reefs, from sunlit shallows to lightless depths. Explore the underwater mountains, canyons, and wildlife that make US waters so wonderful and amazing."
If you have an interest in all things marine, take time to explore this resource on the web and through Google Earth. It will bolster your appreciation for our coasts and waterways.
Links:
- From Sea to Shining Sea: Special Areas in US Waters at the Google Earth Community Website.
- Google Earth Placemark for the Sea to Shining Sea Project.
- From Sea to Shining Sea: Exploring America's Ocean Realm at MCBI Website.
