The New Portrait of Our Planet

A world without oceans.

“Almost three-fourths of the earth’s surface lies under water. Until recently man knew less of this region than he did of the face of the moon. But during the International Geophysical Year 1957-58, the world’s oceanographers daringly explored the cracked and jagged ocean floors, discovering strange landscapes, more stupendous in scope than the features on any continent. Using the new data, LIFE made up these unique maps which reveal for the first time how the ocean floors studied during IGY would look if the water and ice were suddenly removed.” [text on bottom]

The revolutionary new worldview presents both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, plus the polar regions, in colorful topographic detail on a large sheet. Geographic features and place names both above and below the waves are labeled. Created by Time, Inc. in 1960 and published as a supplement to LIFE magazine.