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What is Ocean Exploration?
Ocean exploration is very important because it makes discoveries by searching for things that are unexpected and unusual. We can better comprehend how we are affecting and being affected by changes in Earth's environment, including changes in weather and climate, with the help of information from ocean exploration. Also ocean exploration helps us understand and react to earthquakes, tsunamis, and other disasters with the knowledge gained from ocean exploration. The meticulous observations and documentation of the biological, chemical, physical, geological, and archaeological features of the ocean obtained from exploration set the basis for subsequent research and decision-making as the first phase in the scientific process.
"Sanc1250" by NOAA Photo Library on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/noaaphotolib/25415615487/
We should be exploring the ocean more, mainly because of the deep ocean. The deep ocean is not even half discovered, it is only 5% discovered which is why it is fascinating to research more about the deep ocean. The ocean has always been a crucial source of sustenance, transportation, commerce, development, and inspiration.
"corl0616" by NOAA Photo Library on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/noaaphotolib/28304826635/in/photostream/
How Much of the Ocean has been Explored?
Despite our dependence on the ocean, more than 80% of its enormous underwater world is still uncharted, unstudied, and unexplored. (NOAA 2021). This shows that more than eighty percent of the ocean is unexplored and this is why we need to focus on what is hiding underneath the huge body of water that is the ocean.
Expeditions
Expeditions led by scientist-explorers equipped with the latest exploration tools to lead efforts to explore the ocean by participating in expeditions to investigate and document the oceans unknown regions. While this is going on, NOAA's Office of Coast Survey examines the ocean in a different way by creating nautical charts using hydrographic surveys (NOAA 2021). This provides evidence that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has two different ways to explore the deep ocean.
"corl0611" by NOAA Photo Library on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/noaaphotolib/28304826825/in/photostream/
References
US Department of Commerce, N. (2009, January 01). How much of the ocean have we explored? Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/exploration.html
N. (n.d.). What conditions exist for life in the Deep Ocean? Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/deep-habitat.html
How was the Deep Ocean Formed?
The deep ocean was formed due to the Big Bang that created the universe, hydrogen atoms in water were synthesized. Later, in stars, oxygen atoms were created (Walter 2018). This is very interesting because no one ever thinks about how the ocean formed and came together. Technology has been a huge part of ocean exploration and has helped scientists discover a lot. In the late 1950’s underwater vehicles known as submersibles revolutionized oceanographic exploration.
"expl1930" by NOAA Photo Library on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/noaaphotolib/5425302174/in/album-72157625157131660/
References
Walter, M. (2022, January 06). Curious kids: How was the ocean formed? Where did all the water come from? Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-how-was-the-ocean-formed-where-did-all-the-water-come-from-98382
Technology
Things have changed since the 1950’s and their technology has improved greatly. Today, sonar helps produce maps of the seafloor, coring devices collect soil samples, buoys and water column samplers are used to record sea surface temperatures and water quality variables, and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) allow us to safely and successfully explore all parts of the ocean (Cowan 2022). This shows how much technology has improved to help scientists better understand the deep ocean and find out more information about what lives in the deep ocean.
"sanc1810" by NOAA Photo Library on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/noaaphotolib/5078492990/in/album-72157625157131660/
References
Cowan, A. (n.d.). Ocean exploration: Technology. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ocean-exploration
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