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.