Google brings the world's coral reefs to your screen - CBS News

Google brings the world's coral reefs to your screen - CBS News: "Most of us will never swim with the giant ocean sunfish off the coast of Bali or tag alongside a humpback whale in the Cook Islands.

But thanks to Google Maps, you can have a virtual view of the experience. In an effort to draw attention to the world's oceans, the company teamed up this week with XL Catlin Seaview Survey, NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Chagos Conservation Trust to release Street View imagery of more than 40 extraordinary underwater locations around the world.

Along with the Cook Islands and Bali, the latest 360-degree underwater images feature American Samoa and the Chagos Islands and underwater dives in the Bahamas and the Great Barrier Reef.

Using a specially designed camera -- the SVII -- divers take 360-degree high-resolution images every three seconds, which are then digitally stitched together. The end result is like an underwater version of Google Street View, allowing viewers to take a "virtual dive" and navigate through the underwater environment."



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