Underwater Google Street View

Google continues to develop its products. The well-known google maps and the “street view” option have probably helped you more than once to find the address you are looking for or to get to your destination more easily. In the era of rampant digitalisation, most people have already forgotten what a physical map looks like. Thanks to laptops, smartphones and tablets, we have instant access to almost any place on the surface of the Earth… but what about under the surface, specifically under water?

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In 2012. Google decided to launch a project that would allow users to go beneath the surface of the oceans, right from their laptop or other internet-enabled device. In this way, the Catlin Seaview Survey was created, allowing users to see underwater views in great quality photographs available in 360°. So far, more than 400,000 panoramic images from the world’s most beautiful diving locations have been collected.

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It started with the digitisation of 150km of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The project was then extended to Bermuda, the Philippines, the amazing Galapagos Islands or Hawaii. The full list of sites and all available locations can be found on the project’s home page. The latest area captured and made available by Google, are the magical and magnificent waters of the Florida Keys.

The divers who record the images that are later displayed on our screens use small vehicles, a’la diving scooter, connected to a 360° camera. Exactly the same as those used to create surface “street views”.

On the recorded material you will find everything that is most interesting underwater. From coral reefs and their inhabitants in a full range of sizes, species and colours, through the wrecks of sunken ships and vessels, to turtles, seals and big fish. The “Christ of the Deep”, a characteristic bronze sculpture found in Ligurian waters since 1965, also has its picture.

Interestingly, the opportunity to peep at some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world is just a bonus. It all started with photographing and documenting the state of coral reefs. The collected material was to be used by researchers to monitor the progressive degradation of corals and destruction of reefs. The main sponsors of the whole project are the insurance company Catlin and Google. Over time, this pioneering project is attracting more and more companies interested in providing financial support.

As Catlin explains, as a result of pollution, climate change and fishing, over 40% of all coral reefs in the world have been destroyed in the last 30 years! What’s worse, the trend is continuing and we can expect even more damage in the next few years, affecting 500 million people who rely on tourism, fishing, etc. for their livelihoods.

Source: independent.co.uk, catlinseaviewsurvey.com