Mapping the Deep: Innovation, Exploration, and the Dive of a Lifetime

Embark on an extraordinary journey into the depths of the ocean.

Oceanographer Dawn Wright made history in 2022 when she became the first Black person to visit Challenger Deep, the deepest and most unexplored place on Earth―a trip that took her over 10,000 meters beneath the Pacific Ocean’s surface. We know less about the ocean floor than we do about the surface of the moon. To date, barely one-fifth of the seabed has been mapped in high resolution. As an ocean scientist and explorer, Dawn has made it her mission to change that.

Mapping the Deep takes you on an extraordinary adventure with an extraordinary woman into the depths of Challenger Deep, showcasing the perseverance and innovation needed for ocean exploration. With a focus on Dawn’s historic dive, her personal journey, and the cutting-edge technology that made the expedition possible, this book highlights the crucial importance of mapping the ocean and its profound impact on our planet’s future. Prepare to be inspired―from the fascinating history of the area and the incredible stories of its explorers to the diverse marine life that lives within.

Through a blend of history, fascinating facts, and beautiful images, Mapping the Deep offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of deep-sea exploration.

As chief scientist of Esri, Dawn Wright aids in strengthening the scientific foundation for Esri software and services, while also representing Esri to the scientific community. A specialist in marine geology, with record-setting submersible dives in Alvin (to the East Pacific Rise), Pisces V, and the Limiting Factor (to Challenger Deep), she has also authored and contributed to some of the most definitive literature on marine GIS. Dawn is an elected member of both the US National Academy of Sciences and the US National Academy of Engineering, as well as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Oceanography Society, and the Geological Society of America. She holds lifetime achievement awards from the American Association of Geographers, the Geological Society of America, and WINGS World Quest Women of Discovery. Dawn was included on The Independent Climate 100 List 2024, recognizing the world’s foremost environmentalists. Dawn is also professor of geography and oceanography at Oregon State University, where she was named Oregon Professor of the Year in 2007. She has coauthored several books for Esri Press, including Ocean Solutions, Earth Solutions and the GIS for Science series.

Kathryn D. Sullivan is a geologist, oceanographer, and former NASA astronaut. She was the first American woman to walk in space, the first woman to dive to Challenger Deep, and the first person to do both.