What’s Down There?

Earth’s oceans cover more than 70% of its surface, yet only 23.4% of the ocean has been mapped. Experts know more about Mars than the oceans on our own planet. According to an article by CNN, only three people have explored the deepest point of Earth’s seabed.

How can space travel be easier than ocean exploration?

The deep ocean extends from 1,000 meters to 6,000 meters and is considered the largest living space on earth. Let that sink in.

The largest living space on earth. How can we know so little about the largest living space on earth?

Unfortunately for ocean exploration, these extreme depths come with crushing amounts of pressure and are engulfed in utter darkness.

The oceanic depths are categorized into five layers:

The epipelagic or sunlit zone begins at the ocean’s surface down 200 meters. Various fish species, dolphins, and whales frequent these depths.

The mesopelagic or twilight zone extends from 200 to 1,000 meters. Sunlight and the visibility it provides vanishes. Submersible vehicles with extensive lighting systems can carouse these depths down to 600 meters. The mesopelagic zone is home to deep-sea squids, hatchetfish, viperfish, and jellyfish.

The bathypelagic or midnight zone spans from 1,000 to 4,000 meters, consumed in total darkness. Temperatures are near freezing and only specialized submersibles can withstand the deadly pressures. Oysters and barnacles may attach to hard, rocky surfaces. Sperm whales and giant squid can also be found in this zone.

The abyssopelagic or abyssal zone extends from 4,000 to 6,000 meters and is considered the deepest part of the ocean. This zone is relatively flat and connects many tectonic plates. As these plates move, volcanoes and mountains are formed. Submersibles equipped with specialized equipment and remotely operated have traveled into this zone.

Finally, the hadopelagic (hadal) zone ranges past 6,000 meters and into the oceans trenches. Recently, some specialized submersibles have been able to travel to this mysterious zone. The temperature is just above freezing, and the water above reaches over eight tons of pressure per square inch.

More recently, part of the Pacific Ocean sitting between Hawaii and Mexico called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, came into urgent focus for scientists. This zone is rich in cobalt, nickel, and manganese with mining companies chomping at the bit for a piece of it.

Seventeen mining contracts are approaching the review stage, triggering an international team of scientists to study this zone before mining commences. Scientists estimate they discovered more than 5,000 previously unknown species in this zone. While some species were documented many years ago, the international team of scientists is the first to compile the results, which consisted of sponges, red sea stars, sea spiders, and urchins.

As advances in technology and submersibles emerge, what else might be discovered?

More unidentified species?

Peculiar formations?

Lost cities?

Exploring the Ocean’s Depths (globecomposite.com)

What’s at the bottom of the ocean? A brief history of deep sea exploration | CNN

Know Your Ocean – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (whoi.edu)

5,000 deep-sea animals new to science turned up in ocean records (sciencenews.org)

5,000 New Species Identified at Site of Planned Deep-Sea Mine » Explorersweb