5 Amazing Discoveries About the Ocean

The Ocean: A Powerful Force Throughout History. The ocean has been a driving force in shaping the Earth's ecosystems, influencing weather patterns, and impacting human history since the beginning of time. It has provided an abundance of resources, facilitated exploration and trade, and served as a boundless source of inspiration for adventurers, artists, and dreamers alike.

Despite this, much of the ocean's depths remain unexplored, untouched, and unknown to humans. According to the National Ocean Service, less than 10% has been mapped, and even with the US coast included, only 35% has been explored. This leaves much to the imagination, but the small amount that humans have seen is enough to leave us in awe. Here are ten fascinating facts about the ocean.

The Atlantic Ocean Is Growing

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Home to the Planet's Largest Geological Feature. The ocean floor is home to an enormous crack where the earth's crust is constantly created. This massive feature, known as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, is where magma rises and cools, pushing aside older crust and leaving younger crust in its wake. It's also a continental plate divorce court, where the Eurasian and North American Plates are splitting in the Northern Hemisphere. And things aren't any better below the equator, where the African and South American Plates are energetically separating, causing the ridge to expand up to 2 inches (5 cm) every year.

But the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is just one part of the global mid-ocean ridge system, which measures a staggering 40,390 miles (65,001 km) – almost twice as long as the earth's equator. This makes it the planet's largest geological feature. In addition to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, scientists have also discovered vast hydrothermal fields in the region, complete with periodic vent fluid releases that create underwater hot springs.

While exploring this geological wonder may seem daunting, some portions of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are tall enough to create volcanic islands, like Ascension Island, St. Helena, and Iceland. So, you don't have to be in a submarine to experience the splendor of this incredible mountain range.

Plummet into the Challenger Deep

Challenger Deep: The Deepest Point on Earth. Located at the very bottom of the Mariana Trench is the Challenger Deep, the deepest known point on our planet. This abyss plunges over 35,760 feet (10,900 meters), which is deeper than the Grand Canyon and Mt. Everest combined. Only a few people have ever been there, and until 2019, just three had made the journey to the Challenger Deep’s floor.

Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard were the first to conquer the Challenger Deep in 1960, becoming the first to reach the bottom for about 30 minutes. In 2012, James Cameron, who helped design the submarine, made a solo dive into the chasm, spending a few hours exploring the bottom and returning with a small silt sample. Since 2019, more expeditions have been launched, including Kathryn D. Sullivan and Vanessa O’Brien, who became the first woman to reach this extreme frontier.

Despite its reputation as a silent wasteland, Challenger Deep is home to more activity than previously thought. Scientists have discovered a consistent hum of earthquakes, whales, and ship propellers. Additionally, the depths are home to unique creatures such as dragonfish.

You Should Fear Its Watery Depths More Than Infinite Space

The Ocean vs. Space: Which is Scarier? Did you know that nearly 10% of people suffer from thalassophobia, the fear of the ocean? This fear is justified, as the ocean's dangers can lurk just beneath the surface. But how does it compare to space? Well, according to experts, the ocean is far more frightening.

Columbia University Astrophysicist, Summer Ash, shared her thoughts on the matter, stating that "The ocean is scarier by far!!! In space, only physics wants to kill you, but in the ocean, it's physics PLUS biology!"

If you thought the pressure in space was intense, consider this: the deepest part of the ocean has a pressure of over 16,000 PSI, which is more than 1,000 times that of sea-level pressure. Imagine having the weight of the biggest male elephant on your thumb – that's how intense the pressure is!

Even if you take the pressure out of the equation, almost everything else in the ocean can kill you, from hypothermia-inducing water to deadly animals that can drag you into the depths. To sum up, space is lethal and can kill you quickly, while the ocean can be a slow death sentence, luring you into a false sense of security.

Secret Rivers: The Ultimate Aquatic Inception

Discovering Underwater Rivers: A Fascinating Exploration. Imagine the shock of stumbling upon a genuine river while scuba diving. That's exactly what happened to Anatoley and his friends during a dive in Mexico. They named it "Cenote Angelita," and it's located near Tulum, Mexico. Astonishingly, it's complete with trees and leaves drifting along the ocean floor. However, this is not an isolated occurrence. Teams located underwater rivers in the Black Sea, Australia and Portugal. Dr. Dan Parson from the University of Leeds led the team that discovered the river at the bottom of the Black Sea, while robots found the river near Australia. Scientists worldwide are excited about these discoveries and are exploring ways to harness the power that these rivers possess.

The Oceans Enigmatic Abyss: The “Twilight Zone”

Discover the Enigmatic Ocean Twilight Zone. Below the surface, between 650 and 3,500 feet (198 and 1,067 m), lies an ethereal realm. It’s a cold, dark world untouched by sunlight where mysteries abound. Descend into the twilight zone and explore the bioluminescent wonders waiting to be uncovered.

The Ocean Twilight Zone Project is a team of scientists dedicated to unlocking the secrets of this mysterious oceanic zone. The twilight zone is home to a plethora of unique creatures that showcase nature’s ingenuity. Due to the lack of sunlight, many of these creatures have adapted to create their own light to attract food or for defense.

Studies suggest that the twilight zone may contain more fish biomass than the rest of the ocean combined. It plays a crucial role in the global climate process by impacting water, nutrient, and carbon cycles. By understanding this enigmatic zone, we can shed light on the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystem.