Did you know that water makes up approximately 71% of our Earth? Some of it is fresh and some is pure saltwater. Both play an important role in our lives and both are constantly changing and evolving. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to anyone that most of us spend at least some of our time learning about the world’s waterways. It is a trend that first began during the middle ages, “Age of Exploration” and has continued. Constantly changing and evolving as the year’s pass. Whether you own a boat, or simply want to go exploring while someone else plays captain, you can find it all with the marine crusin’ fun experiences that are waiting along the shore.
Our Fascination with Water
Once upon a time, even before Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, the waterways near Africa, Europe, and Asia were already being explored and mapped out. Those explorers needed to know where they could travel by ships safely, and which areas to avoid. They also spent a lot of time pushing their boundaries to explore new areas that could only be reached via the ocean.
We know more today than they ever could at that time. For instance, as reported by the National Geographic, the tallest mountain on Earth is approximately four miles under sea level. Hiding in our Pacific Ocean. How it formed? Most likely, it was a result of a process that we call, “plate tectonics”. This process happens because our ocean rests on plates that cover the Earth’s mantle. As it shifts, things slowly move around on the ocean floor. It moves only a few centimeters each year unless something drastic happens, but it is important that we know where the peaks and valleys are.
Why Mapping Is Important
For marine biologists and all other oceanic scientists, knowledge is power. In even as short a time as a decade, they have discovered more than 1500 new species of oceanic creatures living deep on the ocean floor. Their habits are unique and dependent on the plate movement of the ocean floor, underwater volcanos, and cold water seeps. As the years’ progress and more changes take place, there could be even more exciting discoveries hiding in the depths of this mysterious world.
For less science-focused people, there are still interesting things to see in our waterways. Fantastic and interesting shells can be found along the shore, massive whales, sharks, and other marine life can be seen from the bow of a boat, the list goes on and on. We can find food in the ocean, relax with the constant ebb and flow, or simply delight in the wonders of without ever considering what may be happening down below our boat.
This does not make it any less important though. Any boater can tell you that there is nothing as rotten as hitting land when you are trying to enjoy your day at sea. Where is the land formations that can pin you for hours located? This can only be known if you have a charter map of the water in that area.
Explore Your Local Waterways and Rivers
There are a lot of ways for you to explore all that your local area has to offer. If you are going out solo on a boat that you own, make sure you have the most updated marine charts available for that area. If you hire a charter boat to take you out on the adventure of a lifetime, you may consider asking if they have current charts. They may appreciate the fact that you are curious and take the time to explain what you are seeing or how the waters have changed.