Pacific Ocean Floor - Published 1969 by National Geographic

Classic Bathymetric Wall Map | Seafloor Topography & Mid-Century Cartography | 632 × 480 mm | Premium Finishes

A landmark in ocean mapping, Pacific Ocean Floor reveals the vast, sculpted terrain hidden beneath the world’s largest ocean. Published by National Geographic in October 1969 as a companion to the Pacific Ocean map, this striking piece captures the excitement of a time when the deep sea was only just being understood.

With elegant shading and meticulous detail, it transforms the ocean floor into a readable landscape of ridges, trenches, and volcanic formations—a true fusion of science and art.

Why This Map Stands Out

A pioneering seafloor map
Represents one of the early visualisations of global ocean bathymetry.

Art meets science
Combines technical accuracy with beautifully balanced design.

Part of a classic ocean series
Complements companion maps of the Indian (1967), Atlantic (1968), and Arctic (1971) Oceans.

Rich terrain detail
Highlights the complexity of the Pacific’s underwater landscape.

A timeless collector’s piece
Captures a key moment in oceanographic discovery.

🌊 What the Map Shows

⛰️ Submarine Landscapes

• Continental margins and continental slopes descending into deep ocean basins
• Vast abyssal plains and mid-ocean features
• Thousands of seamounts rising from the ocean floor

🌐 Geological Structure

• Fracture zones and tectonic boundaries
• Ocean ridges and volcanic formations
• The underlying structure of the Pacific Basin

🧭 A New Way of Seeing the Ocean

• The ocean floor presented as a continuous, readable terrain
• Depth and form conveyed through subtle shading and colour
• A framework linking geology, plate movement, and ocean structure

🌌 Revealing the Hidden Earth

In the late 1960s, mapping the ocean floor was revolutionary:

• Sonar and new technologies unveiled unseen landscapes
• Scientists began to understand plate tectonics and seafloor spreading
• The oceans were revealed as dynamic, ever-changing systems

This map captures that breakthrough—offering a window into a world once hidden from view.

📐 Size & Format

632 mm (W) × 480 mm (H)
Landscape orientation

A compact and elegant format ideal for:

• Framed collections
• Offices and study spaces
• Libraries and educational displays
• Interiors with a scientific or vintage aesthetic

✨ Premium Finishes & Display Options

Every Pacific Ocean Floor (1969) map is produced using archival-grade materials and precision colour management, ensuring the intricate bathymetric detail and tonal shading remain crisp, legible, and visually striking for years to come.

📜 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm Matte)

Classic. Refined. Frame-ready.

• Premium matte-coated archival paper
• Smooth, non-reflective finish for fine detail
• Ideal for framing under glass

💡 Best for: collectors and traditional display settings.

🧼 Laminated (True Encapsulation — 2 × 80 Micron Gloss)

Durable. Practical. Built to last.

• Fully sealed, edge-to-edge protection
• Tear, moisture, and stain resistant
• Wipe-clean surface for markers and map dots

💡 Best for: classrooms, offices, and active use.

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails

Ready to hang. Clean lines.

• Natural timber rails (top and bottom), lacquered finish
• Includes hanging cord for instant display
• Keeps map flat without framing

🔨 Allow up to 10 working days for mounting.

💡 Best for: modern, frame-free presentation.

🖼️ Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)

Textured. Elegant. Gallery-quality.

• Museum-grade canvas with pigment-based inks
• Non-reflective surface with subtle texture
• Rich depth and colour longevity

💡 Best for: feature walls and premium interiors.

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails

Gallery-ready. Warm. Architectural.

• Canvas paired with natural timber rails
• Clean, balanced, ready-to-hang finish

🔨 Allow up to 10 working days for mounting.

💡 Best for: high-end statement display.

📊 Specifications

🎯 Ideal For

• Collectors of classic National Geographic ocean maps
• Enthusiasts of marine geology and oceanography
• Students exploring plate tectonics and seafloor structure
• Interiors seeking a scientific, conversation-starting display

🌍 The Ocean Revealed

Beneath the Pacific lies:

• Mountain ranges larger than those on land
• Fracture lines marking the movement of continents
• Seamounts rising like submerged volcanoes

This map brings that hidden world into view—offering a compelling look at the Earth beneath the ocean’s surface.

🤝 Our Commitment

• Printed in Australia using archival-quality materials
• Faithfully reproduced to preserve depth, clarity, and tone
• Each map is hand-checked and carefully packed

🚚 Delivery

• Rolled (Paper, Laminated, Canvas): Dispatch within 1–2 business days
• Hang-Railed Finishes: Made to order — allow up to 10 working days

Discover the landscape beneath the waves—
a map that transforms the Pacific Ocean into a world you can finally see.