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Why mapping the entire seafloor is a daunting task, but key to improving human life

Seabed 2030 aim to map the entire seafloor by the end of the decade.
John Nelson
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Esri
Seabed 2030 aim to map the entire seafloor by the end of the decade.

Scientists have mapped less than 30% of the world's seafloor. Experts say that getting that number up to 100% would improve everything from tsunami warnings to the Internet and renewable energy. That's why there's currently a global effort to create a full, detailed map of the seabed by 2030. On today's Sea Camp episode, we talk to Dawn Wright, a marine geographer and chief scientist at the Environmental Systems Research Institute about this effort.

We have a newsletter that lets you go even deeper with the marine research each week of Sea Camp. You can sign up here!

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Curious about ocean science? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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This episode was produced by Berly McCoy, edited by Rebecca Ramirez, and fact checked by Anil Oza and Rebecca. Robert Rodriguez was the audio engineer.

Copyright 2025 NPR

Berly McCoy
Kimberly (Berly) McCoy (she/her) is an assistant producer for NPR's science podcast, Short Wave. The podcast tells stories about science and scientists, in all the forms they take.
Regina G. Barber
Regina G. Barber is Short Wave's Scientist in Residence. She contributes original reporting on STEM and guest hosts the show.
Rebecca Ramirez (she/her) is the founding producer of NPR's daily science podcast, Short Wave. It's a meditation in how to be a Swiss Army Knife, in that it involves a little of everything — background research, finding and booking sources, interviewing guests, writing, cutting the tape, editing, scoring ... you get the idea.
Emily Kwong (she/her) is the reporter for NPR's daily science podcast, Short Wave. The podcast explores new discoveries, everyday mysteries and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, Monday through Friday.
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