Coral Reef Street View

Coral Reef Street View

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Google Maps has teamed up with the Catlin Seaview Survey to create 360-degree panoramas of coral reefs around the world.

Coral Reef Health

Coral Reef Health

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

The underwater images will help researchers measure the health of coral reefs.

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

The team has explored the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia and is currently exploring the southern Caribbean.

Dying Coral

Dying Coral

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Climate change and coastal development pose a serious threat to coral reef ecosystems.

Underwater Cameras

Underwater Cameras

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

A human-driven underwater scooter equipped with sophisticated cameras is used to capture the photos.

Virtual Exploration

Virtual Exploration

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Anyone with Internet access can virtually explore these vibrant coral reef environments.

Coral Reef Life

Coral Reef Life

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Coral reefs are home to many different species, including tropical fish and manta rays.

Overfishing

Overfishing

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Overfishing is taking a toll on reefs, which depend on fish to keep algae populations in check.

Mammal Life

Mammal Life

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

The reef is home to mammals as well.

Citizen Scientists

Citizen Scientists

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Regular citizens can help scientists keep track of the wildlife that call the reefs home.

Image Recognition

Image Recognition

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Scientists are using image recognition software to identify corals and other organisms.

Appreciating Coral Reefs

Appreciating Coral Reefs

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Less than 1 percent of humans have ever dived on a coral reef, according to project leader Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a reef scientist at the University of Queensland, Australia.

Public Awareness

Public Awareness

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

One of the project's aims is to increase public awareness of the threats coral reefs face.

Monitoring Reefs

Monitoring Reefs

Credit: Catlin Seaview Survey

Over time, scientists will be able to measure how the reefs respond to pressures from the environment.