NASA has released a stunning animation of the ocean floor, showcasing the unprecedented level of detail achieved by its Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite. Launched in 2022 in collaboration with the French space agency CNES, SWOT has been instrumental in filling vast gaps in our understanding of the seafloor.

The animation, which highlights the ocean floor off the coasts of Mexico, South America, and the Antarctic Peninsula, is a testament to the satellite's capabilities. By using gravity-based data, SWOT can detect subtle differences in the gravitational pull of underwater features, such as abyssal hills and seamounts. This method allows the satellite to identify features that were previously undetectable by older satellites using radar pulses.

The implications of SWOT's findings are far-reaching. The detailed maps can aid submarines in navigating safely through previously uncharted ocean territories. Moreover, they can inform the crucial work of laying and repairing underwater telecommunication cables that connect people across the globe. The data can also have significant applications in fields such as oceanography, geology, and climate research.

Researchers have been surprised by the level of detail SWOT has been able to achieve. According to Yao Yu, an oceanographer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and lead author of a recent Science paper, "We were surprised that SWOT could see [abyssal hills] so well." The satellite's data has revealed that these hills, formed by tectonic plate movement, cover approximately 70% of the ocean floor, making them the most common landform on Earth.

Traditionally, ships using sonar have been used to map abyssal hills, but this process is slow and laborious. To date, only about a quarter of the planet's ocean floor has been mapped using this method. SWOT's capabilities have significantly accelerated our understanding of the seafloor, providing a more comprehensive picture of our planet's oceanic landscape.

SWOT's primary mission is to measure the height of water over oceans, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, aiming to take the first complete survey of Earth's surface water. The satellite's findings will have a profound impact on our understanding of the Earth's hydrological systems and the effects of climate change.

In conclusion, NASA's SWOT satellite has opened up new avenues for oceanographic research and has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the seafloor. As researchers continue to analyze the data, we can expect further insights into the ocean's abyss and its significance in the Earth's ecosystem.