The Mysteries of the Ocean Depths: From Bathyscaphes to the Mariana Trench

Published: 2025-01-30
Author: Artem Rogozhin
Time to read: ~11 minutes

Expedition Beginning: Introduction to the Ship

Ship’s Log
September 8, 8:30 AM 
Entry by Captain Gep:

“That day has arrived. The ship ‘GlobalTech’ is ready for its journey. We are embarking on a scientific expedition to study the underwater anomalies of the Pacific Ocean’s seabed. Our research vessel is equipped with the most advanced technologies that will allow us to dive into the darkest depths of the ocean and meticulously explore its fascinating underwater world.

We have been preparing for this expedition for a long time and have equipped the ship with all the necessary technologies:

Next-Generation Sonar Systems

Sonar systems or hydrophones are devices used for acoustic detection of targets that are partially or completely underwater. They will be crucial for studying the ocean floor. Sonar systems use sound waves to scan the ocean floor and create detailed maps of it. They can detect objects at great depths, including sunken ships, underwater canyons, and even moving marine creatures.”

Automatic Stabilization System

This system helps the ship maintain stability even during rough seas. It automatically adjusts the ship’s position using data from motion sensors and weather conditions.

Autonomous Drones for Underwater Research

Small robots capable of diving to great depths and operating independently of the ship. They are equipped with cameras, sensors, and manipulators to explore the seabed, collect samples, and conduct research in hard-to-reach areas. Due to their autonomy, the drones can gather data in extreme conditions — places where humans cannot access.

Water Microanalyzers

This technology will be essential for determining the chemical composition of the water in real-time and detecting pollution traces.

Super-sensitive Microphones

To capture underwater movements or marine animal activity by tracking infrasound.

Predictive Weather Modeling System

This system will alert us about an approaching storm and other dangerous weather phenomena.

That seems to be it. Three, two, one, here we go…”

Entry by the Creator of the Global Submersible,
Chief Engineer, and Professor of Oceanology Piccard:

“With pride, I present our new development — the global submersible. This advanced engineering achievement has no analogs in the world. The global submersible can dive to record depths to explore the most inaccessible parts of the ocean floor and collect data that until now has remained beyond our understanding. Equipped with the latest sensors, manipulators, and artificial intelligence systems, it will become our indispensable guide to the unexplored world of the ocean’s depths. To ensure the global submersible takes its place in history, I’m adding the blueprints and a few photographs to my journal.

To plunge into the heart of the ocean, a person must engage in a true battle with the laws of nature. At depths of several kilometers, the water pressure reaches 300 atmospheres, a colossal load on the fragile human body, comparable to the collapse of a twenty-story building. The lungs instantly collapse, and internal organs and bones are destroyed in an instant. Therefore, I have equipped the submersible with a titanium hull capable of withstanding 1000 atmospheres of pressure. I hope this will help us survive.

The high-resolution panoramic cameras in the submersible will transmit detailed images even in complete darkness. This is crucial because sunlight cannot penetrate below 200 meters of ocean depth. These high-resolution cameras with infrared lighting will be able to create clear images in complete darkness, allowing us to observe all objects.”

The ultrasonic sonar will help us detect underwater objects, study the terrain, and identify potentially dangerous areas for navigation, as this invention creates three-dimensional maps of the seabed with incredible accuracy. It will also be used by us to search for sunken ships, archaeological finds, and monitor underwater infrastructure — cables and pipelines.

And of course, the submersible is equipped with an autonomous navigation system that works even in the complete absence of a GPS signal.”

Safe Sailing

Personal Diary of Bosun Jack
Entry on September 15, 13:21

“We’ve been at sea for a week. The ocean greets us like an old friend — the weather is delightful, whales and orcas keep luring us into their games. No storms or other natural phenomena that could hinder the expedition have been detected by our instruments so far. Everyone is happy, no complaints.

Yesterday, I overheard a conversation between the captain and a gloomy man who is funding our dive. The global submersible engineer, Piccard, was also involved. They were talking excitedly, the captain was trying to convince the sponsor to abandon the idea, but the sponsor was adamant, insisting that we must continue. The gloomy man, who funded our research, mentioned director Cameron and his dive to the Challenger Deep — the deepest point in the ocean. It turned out that much of his documentary about the dive was edited out, and Cameron himself admitted that he discovered something in the ocean that he was forbidden to talk about. But some of it came into this guy’s hands… he wants to investigate… I don’t know if I should believe this, but the ocean has only been explored 20 percent… maybe mermaids do exist… maybe Atlantis, or what it was once called — Lemuria, was real…”

[Some data lost]

Personal Diary of Bosun Jack
Entries on September 17, 16:16:

“Today, I witnessed giant killer waves.

Occasionally, huge waves up to 30 meters high appear on the ocean’s surface. They appear suddenly and can engulf even large vessels. Until the mid-20th century, such waves were considered a myth, but now it’s confirmed that they exist. The true cause of these waves’ formation is unknown.”

“The Ocean — Climate Regulator and Oxygen Producer.

It absorbs about 93% of the heat retained by greenhouse gases, playing a key role in regulating the planet’s temperature. Additionally, the ocean produces more than half of the oxygen we breathe, thanks to the photosynthesis of algae. Quite a matter.”

“Trash Islands.

In some places, ocean currents collect vast amounts of plastic waste, forming so-called ‘trash islands.’ For example, in the Pacific Ocean, there is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which covers an area larger than some countries.”

“Marine Boundaries.

Some ocean currents create visible boundaries where waters of different colors, temperatures, and salinities do not mix. This phenomenon can even be observed from space.”

“Continuous Waves.

At the ocean’s surface, waves can form that stretch for several thousand kilometers. For instance, in the Southern Ocean, there is an almost continuous circular wave front caused by strong winds and the absence of land.”

“Underwater Ocean Hum.

In some parts of the world’s oceans, a mysterious low-frequency sound, known as the ‘hum,’ is recorded. It is heard by underwater microphones, but the source of these sounds has not yet been identified. Scientists speculate that the hum could be the result of tectonic activity, water movement, or even deep-sea creatures’ activity.”

“Underwater Rivers and Waterfalls.

There are underwater rivers in the ocean. For example, in the Gulf of Mexico, you can see an underwater river formed by salty brine flowing along the seafloor. There is also an underwater waterfall off the coast of Mauritius, but its origin and nature are not yet fully understood.”

“Milk Seas.

A rare phenomenon where vast areas of the ocean begin to glow with a soft white light, stretching for hundreds of kilometers. Scientists believe this is related to tiny glowing bacteria living in the water. However, why these bacteria gather in such large numbers and start glowing over such a vast area remains a mystery.”

Personal Diary of Bosun Jack
Entry on September 27, 22:32

“Recently, I made an entry in my journal about underwater hums. Back at the beginning of our journey, there was a deafening sound followed by giant waves and an uncontrollable vortex. Tonight, sneaking into the cabin of the gloomy guy with the money, I felt an icy terror. He knows something our instruments can’t detect. I dug through the files… we’re heading towards certain death… I tried… The captain is nowhere to be found… I hope… No one told us the real reason, our fears turned out to be true… I need to warn…”

[Further entry missing]

Preparation for the Dive

Ship’s Log
Entry by Chief Engineer Viktor
October 3, 13:07

“The sky has darkened, a strong hurricane has begun, and the waves have become enormous. The forecast promised good weather, but our meteorological neural network malfunctioned.

The ship’s stabilization system is working perfectly. Even with the rough seas, the vessel remains stable, which makes working on deck easier. The stabilization system uses gyroscopes to compensate for the movement of the water. This is especially important for working with the submersible — one wrong movement of the ship could result in a broken cable or damage to the device.

The submersible is ready for its first dive. As soon as the ocean calms down, we’ll send it to the mysterious point on the map. Bosun Jack won’t be able to observe this; he never thought scurvy could cause a fatal outcome in just a few days. And the captain isn’t feeling well, I hope he recovers soon.”

Projects Worked on by Engineer Viktor:

Underwater Communication and Internet

A vast amount of data is transmitted through underwater fiber-optic cables that cross the oceans, providing internet connectivity between continents. These cables are invisible to most people but are the backbone of global communication and the internet.

Hydropower

In the oceans, installations for harnessing energy from sea winds and tidal movements are actively being developed and used. These technologies help reduce carbon emissions and provide energy to entire regions, supporting the transition to renewable energy sources.

Underwater Pumps

These are used for extracting oil and gas from offshore platforms. They are also important for extracting mineral resources, such as rare metals, which are used in the production of electronic devices, batteries, and other essential products for daily life. They enable efficient collection of water samples, sediment, and other materials from the seabed for subsequent analysis and study.

Navigation System

Satellite navigation is used to develop and improve GPS systems, which then help us navigate on the roads, in aviation, and for finding precise locations in our daily lives.

Extraction of Rare Metals

Oceans contain many rare and valuable minerals — gold, platinum, cobalt, and others, which are extracted using underwater robots. These materials are widely used in high-tech industries, including the production of smartphones, electronics, and solar panels.

Ocean Cleaners

Special systems with nets collect plastic waste from the water’s surface, while underwater drones locate and collect garbage from the seabed.

The Dive

Ship’s Log
Entry by the Creator of the Global Submersible,
ГChief Engineer, and Professor of Oceanology Piccard
October 5, 8:30 AM

“We began our descent at dawn. All these years of studying the ocean and developing equipment for deep-sea exploration, we have yet to fully uncover the mysteries of its darkest and most inexplicable corners. Today, we descend to the deepest point of the ocean. Our global submersible is ready to endure. To my great regret, our captain is in poor condition, so he will not be present, but his place has been taken by a new crew member, as insisted by our investor.”

Audio Recording of the Ocean from the Global Submersible:

50 meters

At a depth of 50 meters, sunlight still penetrates through the water. Here, familiar sea creatures reside: schools of colorful fish, lazy turtles, and predatory barracudas. This is the last depth at which humans can stay without special equipment.

The water around still seems friendly. Fish curiously peer into the portholes, and one even bumped its nose against the glass, making us smile. At a depth of 70 meters, we spot whale sharks — the largest fish in the world and true long-livers.

The instruments detect a faint hum. It seems we are on the right path.

100 meters

The ocean is living its usual life. We are crossing the epipelagic zone — the upper layer of the ocean, where sunlight nourishes plankton, the foundation of all marine life. Here, everyday life reigns: reef fish swim by, professional divers, and giant octopuses.

At a depth of 150 meters, only one percent of light penetrates the ocean, the remaining 99 percent is absorbed by the water.

A huge sea snake swam above us, often mentioned in legends and myths. In reality, it’s a giant paddlefish that reaches nearly 10 meters in length.

300 meters

Crabs and spiders, with legs up to a meter long, are closely observing us.

500 meters

We are descending into the twilight zone. Through the windows, we see anglerfish, glowing jellyfish, and giant squid. The living organisms turn on their natural lanterns. There is no light in the dark depths, so they create it themselves. Some use it to attract prey, others to blind predators or signal to each other. For us, it’s a way to study the behavior of deep-sea inhabitants and a potential key to developing new energy sources.

Bioluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon. Nature has taught marine creatures to produce light using chemical reactions with special bacteria.

A blue whale swam by. This is the last depth where whales can stay without harm to their health. Even they are afraid to go deeper.

We hear the hum again. Our sensors indicate that whales, located far apart, are communicating through underwater sound signals.

1000 meters

Light has completely disappeared. We enter the midnight bathyal zone. Here, cold and pressure reign, equal to the weight of several passenger airplanes. Without the global submersible, we would simply be crushed. We see a giant squid, 13 meters long. Apparently, such a squid served as the inspiration for legends about the Kraken, black demons, or deep-sea anglerfish. Remember? That famous scary fish with a flashlight.

I wonder, do turtles like to tease great white sharks?

The water temperature here is just above freezing. Our sensors start detecting low-frequency sounds, but these are no longer whales or great white sharks. Large fish at such depths are completely disoriented, and if they are drawn here, they move using scents. The hum may be coming from the world’s deepest oceanic volcano — Western Mata. The last time it erupted was in 2009. 

2000 meters

It turns out the strange sounds were being made by 19-meter sperm whales hunting for coelacanths. The coelacanth is the so-called “dragon fish.” It’s a very terrifying sight. A large number of fish at such depths have black coloring. This makes them almost invisible to predators and prey; such skin absorbs all the light that other creatures can emit, turning them into invisible hunters.

3000 meters

I’ve never seen such beauty… Deep-sea coral reefs. It’s a magnificent sight. The coral reefs look like an underwater forest made of branches and stones. They shimmer with blue and white light, and small fish and glowing creatures swim around them.

5000 meters

The boundary of the abyss. So many sunken ships here! The pressure is incredible — about 500 atmospheres, as if several elephants are pressing on every square centimeter of our submersible. We notice strange cracks. They resemble tracks, but what could be moving here?

6000 meters

I’m recording that we’ve officially entered the Mariana Trench. Total darkness. The most thrilling terrain. What lies at its bottom?

7000 meters

We are entering a dangerous zone, accessible only to a few devices. Strange life forms swim by: amphipods, the size of a football, giant isopods, resembling alien creatures.

The sound we’ve been recording since the beginning of the dive is getting louder. This is no longer a hum. 

10 994 meters

The bottom of the Mariana Trench. We’ve reached the Challenger Deep — the deepest point on Earth. A realm of microbes and other creatures capable of surviving in any extreme conditions. The water temperature is near freezing. The pressure here is so intense that we won’t encounter any fish or vertebrates.

Our spotlights reveal strange shapes. Xenophyophores resemble giant amoebas, amphipods are shiny, shrimp-like scavengers, and small sea cucumbers — holothurians — are echinoderms that attach to the sea floor. Huge piles of debris and waste are scattered around.

Our sensors have detected a pyramidal-shaped object. Metallic and enormous. The hum… is getting closer…

[Further data is classified

Message from Bosun Jack to an unknown recipient
September 27, 22:40

“Red Code. Red Code. Urgently send reinforcements to coordinates 11°22.40′ N, 142°35.50′ E. Start Operation – Storm ‘Pyramid.’ I have all the evidence that investor Billy Gabes is preparing to rip apart the hornet’s nest. I’m sending you a photo of the giant metallic pyramid and the creature inside it. It has a massive humanoid body covered in scales. Its head resembles an octopus with numerous long tentacles instead of a mouth, and its eyes glow with an ominous light.”

[Status: not delivered]  

The double-slit paradox awaits you! Learn from particles how to act mysteriously and unpredictably.

Thank you!

smile

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