Kentucky

It's hard to believe that there are still places on this planet that still need to be explored and understood. But a number of innovative projects are working to identify the unknown few spaces left on earth to discover.Recording of the geography of these remote areas - collecting data and images along the way - gives more insight into the world around us. The following are some of the coolest recent and ongoing projects mapping of aid in that mission.Cave Diving into the unknownIn western Kentucky, the Cave Research Foundation is a group of volunteers spelunkers who work with local researchers to new parts of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system in the world map. The data from the mapping of the cave has enabled studies on the underground near Mammoth - the passages hide networks of stalactites, stalagmites, rivers, streams and other geological formations - and the more than 70 species that environment to call home, including endangered animals like bats Indiana and Kentucky cave shrimp. So far, more than 390 miles of cave mapped.Mammoth Cave National Park offers a variety of tours through the mysterious cave passages. The Introduction to Caving tour takes groups spelunking in certain parts of the cave. Although there is no experience needed, the tour lasts three-and-a-half hours and includes two miles, including 280 stairs and some pieces including crawlspaces. Serious cave lovers can contact the Cave Research Foundation survey on volunteering at the new parts of the cave to help.Google Street View visits the North PoleGoogle Street View, Google Maps team that panorama photographing the world and comes to lie on online maps, sent a camera-equipped tricycle (and rider) to the Canadian Arctic for one of his latest mapping project, which began in August . The team hopes to provide broad exposure to the Inuit culture of the remote Cambridge Bay village, hidden in the Nanavut territory of the Canadian Arctic. Only accessible by boat or plane, Cambridge Bay is a community of about 1,500 people and only a few dirt roads. But the project will also have a chance to landscape the area map - such as rivers, lakes and other sites of natural and historical interest, such as shipwrecks, churches and Mount Pelly Mountains - one minute levels. This builds on the street's Street View mapping of Antarctica, getting Google Maps the distinction of reaching all seven continents in 2010.If virtual travel is not enough to adventurers in search of unspoiled wilderness to visit Nanavut itself. The territory can be reached by plane from Montreal or Ottawa (although the tickets are not cheap). Cambridge Bay is accessible via Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories.The mapping of the Arctic seabedAbout 10 years ago, scientists began mapping the bottom of the Barents Sea, off the coast of Norway in the Arctic Circle. By the end of this year, they have mapped over 33,000 square miles. Like the cave divers in Kentucky, these researchers discover previously unknown sites in an atmosphere that is alien to most people. Their hordes of data include information on the biodiversity of the sea, seabed topography and environmental effects are present, such as pollution. Until now they have discovered new species such as the worm-like creatures called polychaetes, and new cold-water coral reefs. Moreover, it is an object of the mission is to promote sound management of the sea, parts of which are used by the Norwegian oil, fishing and shipping.Get close to the action, which thrill-seekers diving around this area in Lofoten, Norway. This video from Visit Norway shows divers exploring these waters in search of orcas.The mapping of the Mediterranean seabedA team of scientists is the use of lasers, cameras and advanced sonar technology to the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea off the coast of Cyprus and Turkey map. The most recent part of the mission, carried out through an exploration ship called the Nautilus, surveyed large Eratosthenes Seamount (an underwater mountain), which covers an area of ​​more than 120 km long by 80 km wide and covers is 2,000 m high. The expedition proved that this area can ever have been an island above sea level, in addition to resulting in the discovery of three shipwrecks - two dating from the Ottoman Empire and one to the Hellenistic period, archaeologists have not yet been studied found objects, such as a compass and an anchor of the ship.This video of the Nautilus team features highlights of the trip and the 3D maps that came from it.