When was the first ocean floor mapped in global detail with sonar?
Quick Answer
Global sonar-based mapping of the seafloor expanded dramatically in the mid-20th century, especially after World War II. It revealed the major structure of the ocean floor for the first time.
The Full Story
Detailed sonar mapping of the ocean floor expanded in the mid-20th century, especially after World War II when sonar technology became widely available. Scientists began to see the seafloor as a landscape of ridges, trenches, and plains rather than a flat bottom. This mapping was essential to the development of plate tectonics and modern oceanography. It also led to the discovery of features such as mid-ocean ridges and deep-sea trenches.
Key Facts
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"For the first time, scientists could see the hidden mountains and trenches under the sea"
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