MARMAMER's may find it useful that Google Earth's updated ocean topography includes, perhaps unintentionally, an ability to "fly" underwater, providing an unusual perspective of oceanic terrain features that may be applicable to various studies. The accuracy and detail depend upon the location chosen, as with surface views.
For the adventurous it is possible to "fly" at 1000 knots along the bottom of, or loop in the Puerto Rican Trench, but the slower aircraft program should permit even the faint-hearted a chance to see their area of interest at a more leisurely pace. The normal mouse commands are sufficient to control the "flight" with a little practice, although guidance from any teenage lab assistant with gaming experience may be useful. There is no penalty for "crashing". Open Google Earth (4.3 and later). Position over a location such as Monterey Bay or some area with prominent canyon features. Drop to 1<km above the surface and tilt to near horizontal. Select Tools / flight simulator / F16. Dive angle down with cursor "up", Shift/F twice to raise flaps, press G to raise gear, Page Up for power, and control the descent through the water's surface, when underwater features become clear. Google's made many recent improvements to Google Ocean data that include videos and other references at selected areas. There remains enormous potential to enhance the public's perception of the marine environment, from the perspective of the creatures living there, which is why Google should welcome your professional comments and assistance with future improvements. Please consider this your professional opportunity to enhance the publics' interest and participation in marine mammal issues. Would anyone consider contributing computerized visuals of behaviors, such as humpbacks making bubble nets, sperm whales diving to forage <2000m, or several hundred oceanic dolphins moving quickly at the surface, from below? Have a nice flight, Bill Rossiter Cetacean Society International _______________________________________________ MARMAM mailing list [email protected] https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
