The famous Alvin sumersible to dive more than 20,000 feet under the sea

The summer Alvin is now capable of diving at 21,325 feet (6,500 meters), placing 99% of the ocean fund within reach.

Alvin’s update has been in process to Over four yearsWith its last iteration finished In 2021. The submersible veteran can now dive almost 6,700 feet (2,000 meters) deeper than before, which allows scientists to explore the most abyssal recesses of the ocean.

“The new maximum depth puts approximately 98-99% of the global seabed in scope, including the lower abyssal area and the upper Hadal area, home of ultra high temperature hydrothermal reveries, recently discovered volcanic processes, there are no mineral resources and Much more, “said Anna Michel, a scientist chief of the national installation of deep subsection, who operates Alvin, in a statement sent by email.

Alvin is a vehicle operated by humans, or hov, Putting it separate of autonomous submarine vehicles (AUV) and vehicles remotely operated (ROV). It can be manned by two people and dive for up to 10 hours at the same time, and up to 30 days in a row before requiring scheduled maintenance.

You can remember crafts intrepid by your visit to the wreck of Titanic In 1986. The vehicle has been in operation since 1964, which has been more than 60 years, and has been reviewed and updated several times in its mandate.

As reported By EOS, the Alvin team made a set of dives in the summer of 2022 to test the last submersible updates. The six immersions were successful, showing that the vehicle could dive thousands of feet deeper than before.

Alvin’s design components, including their titanium staff sphere, were finished In 2012, but from 2020 a series of other updates began. The engineers endowed the old submarine with new ballast spheres, a new manipulative arm, improved hydraulic, a 4K image system and new propellers.

“This also provides the scientific community with an unprecedented opportunity to visit a critically underestuded part of the planet that plays a role in the carbon and nutrient cycle and will offer a vision of how life could evolve to conditions in the oceans beyond the earth “. Michel added. In fact, life in the depths of the ocean is a clue of how life could be seen if there is subsurface oceans in moons such as Europe or blurred.

The deep sea is full of biodiversity, much of which seems strange compared to life on earth. Consider the brilliant nudibranchy identified at the end of last year, after bewildering scientists with their disconcerting structure for more than a quarter of a century. Alvin’s new depth certification will allow scientists to see more creatures and hydrological systems that make up the alien world at the bottom of the sea.

You can read about Alvin’s incredible story herein a story that celebrates the 60th anniversary of the submersible.