Scientists have released the most accurate, high-resolution terrain map of Antarctica ever created.

The new map has a resolution of 2 to 8 meters, compared to 1,000 meters, which was typical for previous maps.

“It is the highest-resolution terrain map by far of any continent,” said Ian Howat, professor of earth sciences and director of the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University.

“Up until now, we’ve had a better map of Mars than we’ve had of Antarctica. Now it is the best-mapped continent.”

Howat is the leader of the mapping project, called The Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA).

The map and associated images and data will change science in Antarctica, Howat said, especially as it is updated.

“At this resolution, you can see almost everything. We can actually see variations in the snow in some places. We will be able to measure changes in the surface of the continent over time,” he said.

“We will see changes in snow cover, changes in the motion of ice, we will be able to monitor river discharge, flooding and volcanoes. We will be able to see the thinning of glaciers.”

How detailed is the map? Well, the total file size is more than 150 terabytes, or 150,000 gigabytes.

The map is precise and accurate enough that it will allow scientific teams to plan some trips over the treacherous terrain of the continent.

“It changes the threshold of what you can do in the comfort of your own office compared to what you had to do in the field,” he said.