Mapping the Arctic Floor

The University of New Hampshire and scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently completed a three-week expedition to map the Arctic Sea floor. The Arctic is one of the least-known seafloor areas in the world.

The mapping expedition was completed by two NOAA ships, the M/V Rainer and the M/V Fairweather and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy as well as a private contractor covered nearly 12,000 nautical miles in order to update current nautical charts. 

The seafloor data collected during the expedition will enable  scientists better understand the underwater landscape in the Arctic and improve climate and ocean current circulation models. This was the fourth expedition in a series of cruises to map the Arctic sea floor.

For more information on seafloor mapping, visit www.noaa.gov.