During a submersible dive in 1993, we found ourselves at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, one and a half miles down, when our three-person submersible lost power and the lights went out. This was my first dive in a submersible, and we were exploring the seabed off the Oregon coast in Alvin, a renowned craft operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Despite the challenges we faced due to bad weather and equipment difficulties, our expedition was determined to complete its mission.
As a journalist, diving in a small submarine allowed me to comprehend the scientific significance of these dives, the advantages humans have over robots in the deep sea, and the allure of engaging in dangerous pursuits. This experience also shed light on the risks associated with exploring the resting place of the Titanic, as the passengers of Titan submersible would have encountered.
Our target was a field of lava from a recent volcanic eruption, transformed into a frozen lake of eruptive fury by frigid seawater. The scientists, led by geologist John R. Delaney from the University of Washington, anticipated finding hot plumes of mineral-rich water and peculiar life forms in the field, including thickets of tube worms. However, due to adverse weather and equipment troubles, they hadn’t been successful thus far.
As we began our descent, a dive controller aboard the submersible’s mother ship wished us luck, saying, “May the force be with you,” over the hydrophone. Inside the cramped but surprisingly comfortable passenger sphere of Alvin, equipped with soft cushions and resembling a compact spaceship, I saw an array of rippling, bioluminescent organisms through my observation port.
After flying over endless fields of pillow-shaped lava for an hour, we stumbled upon an unexpected discovery—a Reebok shoe that had sunk into the abyss. This finding was jarring, given the importance of our mission. As time passed, our tiny sphere grew colder, and I had to put on a sweater.
When the lights went out, my experienced companions assured me that it was nothing to worry about. Our skilled pilot, Robert J. Grieve, swiftly restored power using backup systems. Finally, at 11:30 a.m., after what felt like hours of observing monotonous lava mounds, we came across a massive chimney emerging from the darkness.
The pilot, Mr. Grieve, reported that the chimney was hot and covered in tube worms. This otherworldly monolith, towering three or four stories high, teemed with life—four-to-five-inch tube worms, mats of white bacteria, iridescent dark-red palm worms, miniature lobsters, and various small corals.
During our exploration, we examined five large chimneys. While some of the smaller ones vented hot water, they lacked any signs of life and crumbled easily when we attempted to grab them with Alvin’s mechanical arm. The hottest vent-water we measured was a scorching 543 degrees Fahrenheit, capable of cooking pizza and melting modern materials like tin.
We had to maintain perfect stillness as Mr. Grieve used the sub’s robotic arm for sampling and measurements. At one point, I found myself doing breathing exercises to stay calm. Suddenly, Mr. Grieve noticed that the submarine’s skin was heating up—a result of accidentally positioning ourselves over a hot vent. This was potentially dangerous, as the plastic windows of the sub could melt.
Exhausted but pleased, we swiftly began our ascent. Witnessing the awe-inspiring displays of living light, I pondered the mysteries that still lay beyond our reach. The accomplishments of Dr. Delaney and Mr. Grieve on our dive into the sunless depths were beyond what a robot could achieve. These specialists executed intricate maneuvers based on close observations, made split-second decisions in response to threats, and showcased the importance of human exploration in understanding the unknown.
As we ascended, the flashes of living light captivated me, leaving me wondering about the endless possibilities that awaited exploration.
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