NASA used data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) to create a detailed ocean floor map, improving understanding of underwater features and global water systems.
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- SWOT satellite was launched in 2022 as a joint mission between NASA and CNES.
- The mission focuses on measuring and monitoring Earth’s water bodies including oceans, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
- It provides high-resolution data to study water distribution and movement across the planet.
- SWOT uses Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to measure water surface height, width and elevation.
- KaRIn works by sending microwave signals and analysing their return time for precise measurements.
- This advanced technology allows accurate tracking of changes in water systems over time.
- Satellite can scan about 90% of Earth’s surface every 21 days.
- It can observe rivers wider than 330 feet and over one million lakes and reservoirs globally.
- SWOT can monitor more than half of large-scale floods during their lifecycle.
- It helps in better disaster management, flood prediction and water resource planning.
- SWOT data helps scientists study ocean currents, eddies and heat absorption processes.
- New ocean floor mapping improves understanding of marine ecosystems and climate change.




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