Google is taking the message of conservation to a new level - below zero elevation. Earlier this week, Google launched the new Google Earth 5.0 with more options than ever before. Google Earth has always been impressive, letting me virtually visit a sunny beach in Southern California while I'm sitting in chilly Rhode Island.  However, the features in 5.0 blow the previous versions out of the water, literally.

With a surprisingly clear picture, you can now virtually travel to the depths of the ocean floor to observe ocean topography and mysterious deep-sea life. Most notable is the vast amount of information available with a single click... including a visual representation of how climate change is affecting the earth.  

Throughout your travels, you can click to learn more information about a particular topic, like giant squid, volcanic activity or Hurricane Ike's effect on Galveston, Texas. If you are touring along the central California coast, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch is a hot spot where you can learn about sustainable seafood.  You can also tour the migratory path of a whale shark to learn more about the species.  Google partnered with top marine experts to provide accurate and realistic data, and their due diligence shows.

And if that weren't enough, you can "view historical imagery" and record a tour.  The historical imagery option allows you to go back in time and view old satellite images of the earth.  With the recording tours option, Google Earth will remember the exact route you choose so you can return to interesting places time and time again.

Although only 5% of the ocean floor has been mapped so far, it is definitely worth checking out!  And check back often to see where else Google is going...

Obviously, no one will go on a sub-trip to the ocean floor, but with Google Earth 5.0, the Google team may inspire a passion for marine education and conservation.  As the web evolves, we expect more and more educational solutions to be solved through innovative technology. And the best part of this service is, it's free!