# Ensia talks why we MUST protect 600,000 square miles that most people will never see! - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/10/ensia-talks-why-we-must-protect-600000-square-miles-that-most-people-will-never-see/ - Published: 2017-10-05T04:34:37-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy **WRITER****Jenny Woodman ** @[JennyWoodman](https://mobile.twitter.com/JennyWoodman) **_Science writer and educator_** October 3, 2017 — Much of what lay beneath the ship was a mystery. The edge of the continental shelf plummets more than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) somewhere in the vicinity of oceanographer Robert Ballard’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus.  All that which was making its way to Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.  That’s about 60 miles( 97 kilometers) northwest of San Francisco. [⌊Canary rockfish⌉⌊Canary rockfish⌉[ Photo Courtesy from Ensia and Rick Starr CBNMS **_October 3, 2017_** — Much of what lay beneath the ship was a mystery. The edge of the continental shelf plummets more than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) somewhere in the vicinity of oceanographer Robert Ballard’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus, which was making its way to Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, about 60 miles( 97 kilometers) northwest of San Francisco. They say there are better maps of the moon and Mars than of Earth — some 70 percent of this planet’s surface is under water, and water disrupts radar signals needed to generate high-resolution maps. Most maps of the ocean floor have a resolution of 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), meaning only objects with about that diameter or larger are discernible. [⌊Ensia talks why we must protect 600000 square miles that most people will never see⌉⌊Ensia talks why we must protect 600000 square miles that most people will never see⌉[ The EV Nautilus offers scientists educators and others a chance to learn and share stories about marine ecosystems Photo courtesy of OETNautilus Live In addition, the 211-foot (64-meter) ship left port at 9 a.m. on August 6 on a nine- day mapping and exploration expedition with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ([NOAA](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/04/an-upwelling-crisis-ocean-acidification-noaa/)). All to help resolve some of that mystery by sending remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs.  I mean down to identify new habitat areas and ocean floor topography. I joined the team as a science communication fellow funded by Ocean Exploration Trust, which owns and operates the E/V Nautilus. #### **As Ensia mentions at the beginning of the story:** In conclusion, they say there are better maps of the moon and Mars than of Earth. For some 70 percent of this planet’s surface is under water.  So water also disrupts radar signals needed to generate high-resolution maps. Most maps of the ocean floor also have a resolution of 5 kilometers (3.1 miles).  Finally meaning only objects with about that diameter or larger are discernible. For the entire story on [Ensia](https://ensia.com/features/marine-reserves/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)