Search Engine Land » SEO » Why You Can’t See The Great Pacific Garbage Patch On Google Earth
After hearing about the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” earlier this year — an area the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean filled with trash — I went looking for it on Google Earth. And never found it. It’s not that the patch doesn’t exist. It’s just that despite being large, it’s not that visible […]
Danny Sullivan on June 20, 2009 at 5:35 pm | Reading time: 3 minutes
After hearing about the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” earlier this year — an area the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean filled with trash — I went looking for it on Google Earth. And never found it. It’s not that the patch doesn’t exist. It’s just that despite being large, it’s not that visible from above.
I was disappointed in Google at first, for not having images of the patch. After all, the company made a big splash with Google Ocean earlier this year, a way to see more about the majority of our planet that’s covered with water. But while Google Earth is good for seeing under the ocean, why can’t I see more of what’s on top, such as this huge collection of garbage?
Google Ocean product manager Steve Miller emailed me this explanation earlier this year:
Regarding the availability of satellite imagery of the oceans: Unfortunately we haven’t found great sources of data for most of the open ocean because most imagery providers focus their efforts on the land. Where we do have satellite imagery for the ocean surface, we’ve preserved it in the most recent version of Google Earth and the satellite view in Maps. For example you can still see trawling vessels in southeast Asia. There are a number of potential applications for such imagery, from amateur interest in finding ships to looking at off-shore oil platforms to locating illegal fishing vessels, so it’s certainly worth exploring how we could track down data for the rest of the ocean.
Regarding the gyre: the trash gyre presents its own set of challenges. Even if we had satellite imagery, the gyre likely wouldn’t appear in it. Most of the plastic is particulate and/or a bit under the surface so you can’t see it in the imagery. A number of groups are starting to focus on collecting more data about the gyre via expeditions and sampling – we’d love to see one or more of them produce maps that could be viewed in Google Earth.
So there you go. A huge pile of trash collectively, but trash so small individually that the patch doesn’t show up.
Want to learn more about the Great Garbage Patch, also known as the Pacific Gyre? Wikipedia has an entry, and there’s an entire site with information about it: the Great Garbage Patch. I’d also recommend watching the video below from this year’s TED conference featuring Captain Charles Moore, who is credited with discovering the patch:
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About the author
Contributor
Danny Sullivan was a journalist and analyst who covered the digital and search marketing space from 1996 through 2017. He was also a cofounder of Third Door Media, which publishes Search Engine Land and MarTech, and produces the SMX: Search Marketing Expo and MarTech events. He retired from journalism and Third Door Media in June 2017. You can learn more about him on his personal site & blog He can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Related topics
As an enthusiast and expert in environmental issues and satellite imagery, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. My expertise is rooted in a deep understanding of both the challenges and advancements in using satellite technology to explore and monitor our planet's oceans. I have closely followed the developments in mapping tools like Google Earth and Google Ocean, recognizing their potential and limitations.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article, "Why You Can’t See The Great Pacific Garbage Patch On Google Earth" by Danny Sullivan on Search Engine Land:
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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch:
- Described as an area the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean filled with trash.
- Despite its enormous size, the patch is not easily visible from above due to the nature of the debris.
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Google Earth and Google Ocean:
- Google Earth is a mapping tool providing a view of the Earth's surface.
- Google Ocean is an extension of Google Earth designed to explore the world's oceans.
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Challenges with Satellite Imagery of Oceans:
- The article highlights the limited availability of satellite imagery for the open ocean.
- Most imagery providers focus on land, making it challenging to obtain comprehensive data for ocean surfaces.
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Explanation from Google Ocean Product Manager:
- Steve Miller, the Google Ocean product manager, explains the challenges of obtaining satellite imagery for the open ocean.
- The focus of many imagery providers on land leaves gaps in data coverage for ocean surfaces.
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Visibility of the Trash Gyre:
- The article explains that even with available satellite imagery, the trash gyre (Great Pacific Garbage Patch) might not be visible.
- The plastic debris is particulate and often located just below the surface, making it challenging to detect in satellite images.
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Efforts to Collect Data on the Gyre:
- Despite the challenges, various groups are conducting expeditions and sampling to collect more data about the trash gyre.
- The hope is that these efforts will produce maps that can be integrated into tools like Google Earth.
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Recommendations for Further Learning:
- The article suggests additional resources for those interested in learning more about the Great Garbage Patch, including Wikipedia and a dedicated site on the topic.
- It also recommends watching a TED conference video featuring Captain Charles Moore, credited with discovering the patch.
In conclusion, the article provides insights into the limitations of current satellite imagery technologies and the ongoing efforts to address these challenges, particularly in the context of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. As an expert, I recognize the complexities involved in visualizing and monitoring such environmental phenomena using satellite tools.
