http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20141126-exploring-hidden-ocean-depths - VIDEO
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20141205-glass-sub-for-the-deepest-depths
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-17041438
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/x-prize-foundation/a-new-age-of-ocean-explor_b_4158380.html
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/backmatter/whatisexploration.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-exosuit-ocean-exploration-2014-3
ANALYSIS:
The majority of our planet's surface is covered by ocean, yet, we know very little about it. In fact, about 95% of our ocean remains undiscovered. Sylvia Earle, an Explorer in Residence at National Geographic has been diving since the 50s, and has always been frustrated at not being able to explore into the depths.
“From the earliest time I had frustration, to go out to the edge of a drop-off, as deep as I could go, and look over, and the fish didn’t stop, the ocean didn’t stop. I wanted to go over the edge and see what was in the deep water beyond. Technology was the key for me to be able to see the ocean with new eyes.”
In order to investigate this world, Sylvia founded the company, Deep Ocean Exploration and Research. Her team has been working hard to design a submarine that can take scientists 33,000 ft below the surface of the ocean. The machine will also act as a vacuum, letting Sylvia gently collect organisms, and do it silently so it doesn't scare any creatures. She imagines that the sub will have a pressure hull made of glass and will be able to turn the way that your body would. Most people would think that a submarine that's essentially a glass bubble would never make it to the depths of the ocean without cracking, but in deep sea conditions, glass actually goes through molecular changes that make it stronger as pressure is added.
Through deep sea exploration, we can learn more about climate change, help predict tsunamis and earthquakes, and even discover new sources for food, energy, medical drugs, etc. when finding and understanding new ecosystems.
BULLET ANSWERS:
Global/National/Local Impacts:
Globally, Nationally AND locally, deep sea exploration could lead to new vital information when it comes to predicting natural disasters, new medical discoveries, and alternate energy sources, all positive things. Deep sea exploration will really just help us gain a better understanding of our own planet.
Impact Over Time:
2 months/2 years- submarines and underwater suits will begin to be developed and tested, leading to more curiosity and interest in deep sea exploration in years to come
20 years- deep sea exploration will lead to important new scientific discoveries that will impact humans globally. We will have new food, medicines, technology, and new jobs will be created
positive outcome:
gaining a better understanding of our Earth and making positive changes in regards to how we treat our environment
negative outcome:
not knowing enough about the deep sea and disrupting it's ecosystems and or harming our environment even further, and maybe some bad horror movies about creatures of the sea
Region of the Future- Bio/Environmental tech
QUESTIONS:
Would you be interested in traveling into the depths of the sea if we had the proper technology?
Do you think that this exploration could be a really positive thing? Or do you think that we'll do more harm than good?
Would you be afraid of what you would find at the bottom of the sea?
This is awesome! I feel strongly about this concept. We know more about the surface of the moon than what is in our back yard. This also is the largest source of water open to man. Though, we cannot access it seeing that it is salt water. Which brings up a whole new issue all together. Interesting stuff!
ReplyDeleteI feel we should create a cool design where you wear goggles and have this device go deep under water, and you control the device with a remote. So you'll feel like your underwater but in a 3D VIEW!
ReplyDeleteThe vastness of the ocean has always scared me. It's like the opposite of being claustrophobic really, and I get anxious just thinking about the empty depths of the ocean. I think what I'm most afraid of is an overwhelming feeling of the unknown. This however does more harm than good on the larger scale, and we need to be able to access the unknown, especially on our own planet. The thing about the unknown is that it's scary and intimidating at first, yet there are so many possibilities that can lead to exciting innovations and advancements.
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