Now instead of just picturing the ocean while sitting in my cubicle, I can actually see it!

You've all likely heard about Google 5.0. One of my favorite parts is Google Ocean - check out these blurbs on You Tube. Apparently only 5 percent of the ocean floor has been mapped in any detail, and less than 1 percent of the oceans is designated marine protected areas, according to the LA Times story.

You can also see the surface of Mars and the effects of global warming on Earth. And for hikers, EveryTrail created content using the new Google Earth Touring feature.

More on Google Ocean, described in this Channel Web article:

Attention armchair scuba divers: Now you can now dive deep into the water without worrying about the bends, thanks to Google Ocean. The new feature is part of an updated version of Google Earth 5.0 that was launched Monday.

Using sophisticated visualization tools, Google Ocean's features let users navigate the ocean blue around the globe, from the Hawaiian Islands to the Arctic, and allow users to "swim" in the Mediterranean Sea. Additional deep sea virtual expeditions include watching Jack Cousteau divers and following the path of migrating sharks in Asia. Ocean observers can also take the plunge to the deepest part of the sea in the world, the Mariana Trench, which has a depth of 36,201 feet.

And if you happen to get lost searching for gold on a shipwreck or want to discover scuba spots, Google Ocean provides directions, too.

But while entertaining, Google Ocean is also a serious endeavor and wants to educate people about how global climate changes and pollution are affecting life underwater.