This is the sort of amazing thing that I wish our taxes would be spent more on. Gramatically dubious, I know, but just watch this sample video of ocean surface currents over two years.
This visualization shows ocean surface currents around the world during the period from June 2005 through Decmeber 2007. The visualization does not include a narration or annotations; the goal was to use ocean flow data to create a simple, visceral experience.
Read more and view the entire video, in other formats and sizes up to a whopping 4GB of HD, at NASA.
