Exploring the Ocean (Hapalochlaena maculosa) Blue-ringed Octopus

The Ocean generates: Fresh H 2 O that we drink. The O 2 we breath Our climate Seafood Medicines

Earth 75% of earth’s surface is composed of water. 25% land Water Water- 97% is salt water 3% freshwater-only about 1% is available to us.

Only 5% of the ocean has been explored. 95% still remains unexplored.

Famous Explorers Jacques Cousteau Co-inventor of the Aqua-lung. Revolutionized the way humans view water through books, films and TV series.

Dr. Sylvia Earle Marine Biologist- has led more than 60 expeditions worldwide. Has spent more than 7,000 hours underwater. (291 days or 9 and ½ months.)

Dr. Robert Ballard One of the world’s most famous ocean explorers best known for his discovery of the Titanic in Revolutionized explorations with the use of ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) he discovered hydrothermal vents and their unique life forms.

Dr. Peter Auster Director for the National Undersea Research Center, University of Connecticut. Ecologist and Conservation Biologist whose focus is marine fishes and their habitat.

Most Amazing Ocean Locations

1. Mariana Trench At a depth of 35,805 feet, almost seven miles below surface. One of the least explored places on earth. Was pinpointed by the Challenger II in Deep enough to swallow Mt Everest.

In 1960 Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard descended in the submersible called the Trieste which could withstand 16,000lbs of pressure per square inch. Japanese-built robot Kaiko Five hours to descend to the bottom.

Nereus (AUV)Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

2. American Samoa American Samoa group of 6 islands in the Southern Pacific. Home of the Polynesian culture. In Samoan Culture Sea turtles have the power to save fisherman.

American Samoa’s reefs are home to many hundreds of fish species. The largest tuna processing plant. 1,000 lbs of tuna each day in sustainable fisheries.

Tuna

3. North Western Hawaiian Islands World’s largest marine protected areas. A chain of coral atolls, reefs and islands. Most diverse aquatic ecosystem. Stretching over 1,200 miles. A marine national monument.

4. Gulf of Alaska Seamount Chains Underwater mountains rise above the seafloor. Most are extinct volcanoes that formed above hotspots. Expeditions using ROVs have discovered many deep sea coral, sponges and fish

5. Arctic Ocean- Beaufort Sea

Special species adaptations to harsh conditions and temperatures. Sea ice protects arctic communities and shorelines from erosion. Ringed seals depend on sea ice to breed and raise their young. Polar bears depend on ringed seals

Climate changes are causing the ice to melt. Causing loss of habitat. Many native Alaskans are forced into wildlife habitat because of the diminishing shoreline.

6. Juan De Fuca Ridge

Stretching 300 miles along the coast of Oregon and Washington. Underground Volcanic mountain range. Created by the separation of the Juan de Fuca plate and the Pacific plate. Home to many chemo-autotrophic organisms.

Hydrothermal vents-Deep sea vents release lava heated water of 400°F. Black clouds or black smokers. On contact with seawater minerals crystalize and settle on the sea floor around vent openings. Over time the mineral deposits grow like chimneys.

7. Monterey Canyon

Deep Sea Medusan (Periphylla periphylla)

Barreleye Fish

A canyon under the sea. Twice as deep as the Arizona Grand Canyon. Seafloor-absolute darkness: chemo- autotrophic organisms Giant kelp and algae major O 2 producers. Full of biodiversity.

8. Gulf of Mexico

Accumulated sediments has formed a belt of salt domes underneath the seafloor. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Carbon Rich sediments produce oil banks.

9. Dry Tortugas National Park

Seven small islands of coral and rock in the Florida Keys. Sanctuary for endangered green and loggerhead turtles.

Hawksbill Turtle

10. Puerto Rico Trench

Deepest place in the Atlantic ocean. 27,395 ft. (5.2mi) Caused by tectonic plates similar to San Andreas fault. Tsunamis and earthquakes are a threat to nearby islands.

11.The Gulf Stream

Warm water from the tropics flows to higher latitudes. Effects weather patterns

12.Georges Bank

Lucrative fishery for cod and halibut fish. Oceanographer canyon located at 6,600 ft.