Study: Less Than 0.001% of Deep Seafloor Explored

A study published in Science Advances reveals that less than 0.001% of Earth's deep seafloor has been visually explored, about the size of Rhode Island or one-tenth that of Belgium. Since 1958, 44,000 deep-sea dives have been recorded, mostly near the United States, Japan, and New Zealand, while large areas such as the Indian Ocean remain largely unobserved. The deep ocean, defined as waters below 200 meters and covering 66% of Earth's surface, is vital for climate regulation, biodiversity, and potential pharmaceutical advances. Researchers warn that current knowledge is limited and geographically biased, which hampers understanding and protection of marine ecosystems amid threats like climate change and deep-sea mining. The study emphasizes the urgent need for broader, more representative exploration and the development of affordable technologies. It also calls for increased international collaboration to expand deep-sea research for effective conservation and resource management.