What kind of creatures live in the depths of the oceans, what mysterious geographies are unexplored, and perhaps most importantly, what kind of ecosystem is there in this underwater world? The answers to these questions lie in the depths of undiscovered oceans, and this world full of unknowns opens the doors to an intriguing adventure.
While some scientific studies are carried out in space and new discoveries are announced every day, why did the oceans not receive their share of these studies and we only know about 5% of them?
Unknown world: ocean
The ocean, the largest habitable space on our planet, covers approximately 70% of the earth’s surface. Imagine the size of the ocean, which has more life than anywhere else in the world.
According to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, there is approximately 332 million cubic kilometers of water in the ocean. Its surface area alone is approximately 360 million square kilometers and its average depth is 3 thousand 682 meters. Even though our perception of large numbers is not very developed, you can understand these numbers better when you visualize the world map.
The number we give for depth is the average itself. However, there is a place where this figure is approximately 3 times higher. That is the Mariana Trench that we all know. This pit, which is considered the deepest place in the ocean, is located in the Pacific Ocean with a depth of 10 thousand 935 meters.
The ocean has been tried to be discovered for centuries.
We shared some data about the ocean so we could better understand the magnitude of unexplored places. Because discovered areas, which are like a drop in the ocean, emerged after centuries of effort.
The ocean is a mysterious area that has fascinated scientists and explorers for centuries. Many civilizations, from the Phoenicians who sailed to the Mediterranean in 1200 BC to the Vikings who traveled to North America in the 11th century, have tried to open the mystery of the ocean.
The voyages of Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan in the 15th century ushered in the modern era of ocean exploration. The findings of the HMS Challenger expedition in the 19th century revolutionized our understanding of the ocean.
Today, ocean research still continues and is carried out by many organizations, including NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), scientific societies and private companies.
Although humans have been around for many years, we are only at the surface level in underwater exploration. Although different figures can be seen in many places, on average, approximately 20% of the ocean has been mapped, only 5% of which we have physically seen and visited.
With which advanced technologies are oceans explored?
The data collected for centuries has not gone much further. Many systems are used to increase this rate even higher.
Sonar systems are the most basic technology used in ocean research. Sonar systems, which use sound waves to create images of objects on the sea floor and in the water column, create detailed 3D maps with their multi-beam structures. However, the use of this system is a matter of debate because sound waves can harm sea creatures.
Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are underwater robots controlled from the surface. These robots; It is equipped with cameras, sensors and manipulator arms that explore and interact with the environment. ROV devices are also used to inspect offshore infrastructure in the oil and gas industry.
Submarines, which are used for ocean exploration as well as military operations, go to depths that ROVs cannot reach. Submarines that can travel long distances are large and complex vehicles that stay under water for long periods of time.
Why can’t we explore all of the oceans?
One of the most vulnerable and least understood places in the universe, the ocean is also a body of water that covers most of the Earth’s surface. There are some reasons why a small part of the deepest parts of the frightening ocean, which hosts species that adapt to life in a cruel ecosystem, has been discovered and we have no idea about the rest.
A part of the ocean called the “deep sea” or “inner space” (103 million square miles) is permanently dark. The sunlight zone melts after about 200 meters below the surface, complicating imaging.
Although there are technologies such as ROV and submarines to explore the bottomless pit, technology also enables exploration to some extent because there are so many places to see.
When the rapid melting of glaciers and polar ice due to climate change is added to the already cold water, the coldness of the water becomes one of the factors that hinder discovery.
One of the biggest challenges in not exploring the entire ocean is the overwhelming amount of pressure. In some ways, sending people into space is easier than sending them to the bottom of the ocean. Because the intense pressure in the ocean makes it an extremely difficult environment to explore.
When diving to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, which is approximately 7 miles deep, a thousand times more pressure is created than at the surface. This is equal to the weight of 50 jumbo jets pressing on the body.
Another obstacle to ocean exploration is that expeditions are quite expensive. Although research is needed to gather more information, many institutions are reluctant to fund projects where the unknown exists.
Why is exploring the ocean so important?
The ocean is home to a wide variety of marine life, and many of these species have yet to be discovered. In addition to discovering new and unique species that adapt to the harsh conditions of the deep sea, ocean exploration is also important in understanding the evolution of species and how they adapt to their environments.
Ocean exploration is also used to find shipwrecks. Who knows how many shipwrecks have been there for centuries? The discovery of these shipwrecks is of cultural importance enough to shed light on past civilizations and the maritime history of the world.
If the ocean, which is a large repository of pollutants, were fully explored, the extent of ocean pollution would be understood and the planet’s ecosystem would be protected accordingly.
The increasing world population and the increasing demand for resources are also related to the exploration of the oceans. Oceans; It contains huge amounts of resources, including oil, gas and minerals. Identifying these resources provides valuable information in terms of the potential of the resources and their sustainability.
Knowing the exact shape of the sea floor; It is important to understand some basics such as climate models, tsunami forecasting and public safety, sediment transport, cable and pipeline routing.
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