You could try an oceanographic institute somewhere maybe? I'd also try this address, as he might be able to point you in the right direction:- http://planetpixelemporium.com/earth.html
As for the website going AWOL, it happens more times than you'd think. If a company or person stops using and closes their website, if it has cool name web companies will buy the domain name (or just acquire the unused page name, I think...;)