It is tempting to think that once we locate the missing Malaysian Airlines MH370 aircraft the answers to what actually happened will surely follow. In the last 48-72 hours both the Chinese and Australians have detected possible 'pings' from the aircraft's data recorders. If it proves to be the missing aircraft, and that is still an 'if', then this offering from long-time member crutchy might help:
This graphic shows the problem that the recovery effort will have to overcome.
(Score: 2) by TheLink on Thursday April 10 2014, @10:23AM
I'm sure the US Navy is mapping many areas of the ocean at least up to sub depth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_San_Francisco_(SS N-711)#Collision_with_seamount [wikipedia.org]- accident/ [cbsnews.com]
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/whos-to-blame-for-sub
They have to remap regularly though - stuff like earthquakes change things: http://www.stripes.com/news/navy-to-chart-ocean-fl oor-after-tsunami-1.28086 [stripes.com]