Only 0.001% of deep ocean has ever been explored by humans — an area equal to the size of Rhode Island

A scuba diver descends down a deep ocean reef wall into the abyss. .

Scientists have revealed how much of the vast deep ocean floor humankind has observed, and it's a staggeringly small amount.

According to a new study published May 7 in the journal Science Advances, just 0.001% of the deep seafloor (anything below 656 feet, or 200 meters) has been explored — despite it covering about two-thirds of Earth's surface. This area is roughly equivalent to the size of Rhode Island.