Earlier this week Google announced the addition to Google Earth of some significantly improved ocean imagery. Today, Google announced that you can view much of the new imagery through the Google Earth Browser Plug-in. Visit the Google Earth Ocean Showcase to tour the new underwater imagery. Some of the tours you can take include shipwrecks, popular scuba diving locations, and the Great Lakes.

Applications for Education
The list of educational uses for Google Earth seems to be without end. The new Google Earth Ocean Showcase has many possible classroom uses including lessons in geology, marine science, and history. For example, tour the shipwrecks and discuss with your students the effects of salt water on various materials. Or tour the shipwrecks and have your students research when and why these ships sunk.
Here are some related items that may be of interest to you:
TED Talk – Underwater Astonishments
Virtual 3D Tours of the Winter Olympics
How to Make Placemarks and Tours in Google Earth