Weekly Photograph Highlight: Extensive Submerged Exploration

In 2018, a groundbreaking deep-sea exploration cruise was led by the Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía in Concepcion, aboard the Chilean science vessel Cabo de Hornos. The cruise, which saw the participation of several renowned scientists, made significant strides in our understanding of the Atacama Trench.

One of the key figures onboard was Scripps microbiologist Doug Bartlett, who served as the chief scientist on the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE voyage. Another was Peter von Dassow, a 2003 Scripps graduate and now a professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Joining them was Kevin Hardy, a former engineer at the University of California, who played a crucial role in the expedition.

Hardy was responsible for a lander he developed, which made three dives to depths over 8,000 meters in the Atacama Trench off Chile. This lander, a successor to a craft used in James Cameron's dive to the Mariana Trench in 2012, is commissioned by the University of Concepcion. The deep ocean vehicle Audacia, as it is called, filmed, gathered data, and collected water samples during the cruise.

One of the dives established a new record depth for the Atacama Trench at 8,081 meters. The water samples will provide scientists with a first-ever opportunity to survey the types of microorganisms in the Atacama Trench.

Annelies Pierrot-Bults, a scientist involved in the cruise, was responsible for the collection of amphipods living five miles below the surface in the Atacama Trench. These tiny crustaceans are crucial in understanding the ecosystem of the deep sea.

The University of Concepcion also played a role in the production of a video highlighting the cruise. This video, along with an image gallery, is now available for public viewing. The video showcases the significant moments and findings during the cruise, while the images likely capture various aspects of the Atacama Trench and the cruise activities.

These visual documents serve as educational resources for students and researchers, providing additional insights into the mission. They may also be used for promotional purposes to attract further interest in deep-sea exploration. However, it's worth noting that the video and image gallery do not contain any advertisements or promotional content.

The related image gallery for the week is from the cruise, and can be accessed here. The cruises' highlights, as documented visually, offer a fascinating glimpse into the world beneath the waves.