Scientists in the arctic are attempting to map regions of the seafloor at high resolution and pull up a sample that could show what happened in the Northwest Passage 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. The area just now became navigable, thanks to climate change, but in mapping it, the scientists are opening one of Earth’s most untouched environments to an increasing volume of ship traffic. It is the irony of all ironies: while they are conducting research that could help shed light on current environmental challenges, but the maps will also open the door to more tourism, as well as shipping and other forms of commerce. More ships would damage some of the world’s most pristine water.
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