While it's a complex question with different aspects to consider, historical data highlights a significant difference in mapping knowledge regarding these two vast areas. Based on a specific comparison made decades ago, there was a point in time when our understanding of the Moon's surface shape surpassed that of the ocean floor.
A Look Back: The 1957 Perspective
A notable statement from a 1957 paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Arts sheds light on the state of knowledge at that time. It observed the significant discrepancy in our understanding of the physical layouts of the Moon and the deep ocean floor.
The paper explicitly stated: "the deep oceans cover over two-thirds of the surface of the world, and yet more is known about the shape of the surface of the moon than is known about that of the bottom of the ocean."
This comparison specifically refers to the scant amount of data available regarding the shape of the bottom of the ocean compared to the knowledge gathered about the shape of the surface of the Moon by 1957.
Why This Disparity Existed (in 1957)
The reasons for this particular difference in mapping knowledge during that era are understandable when considering the challenges involved:
- Vastness and Depth: The deep ocean is immense, covering a significant portion of Earth's surface, and its depths make exploration and mapping technically challenging.
- Accessibility: The Moon, while distant, is visible from Earth, allowing for detailed telescopic observation of its surface shape relatively early on. Early space exploration also began providing direct data in the late 1950s and 1960s.
- Mapping Technology: Mapping the ocean floor requires specialized techniques like sonar, which were less advanced and comprehensive in the mid-20th century compared to the methods used to observe the lunar surface.
This historical perspective from 1957 underscores how challenging it was to map the hidden depths of the ocean compared to the visible surface of the Moon using the technology available at the time.
