All of modern society depends on minerals. ⛏️💎🔋 From the technology we use to the energy that powers our world, minerals are at the core of everything. While we often think of mining minerals from the land, did you know we can also find minerals underwater? In fact, the U.S. has more land area under the ocean than on land. Beneath the waters of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)—an area that extends up to 200 miles off the coast—the ocean floor is home to vast, unexplored features like abyssal plains, seamounts, and submarine canyons, as well as valuable seabed minerals. The EEZ gives the U.S. special rights to explore and manage marine resources, including minerals, within that 200-mile range. The USGS is leading efforts to map these underwater mineral resources, which are critical for powering the U.S. economy and ensuring national security. Our research not only focuses on mineral resources but also on the ecosystems and potential risks tied to extraction. Click the l...