Deep Sea Mystery: Less Than 0.001% Explored, Urgent Need for Research

A recent study reveals that less than 0.001% of the deep ocean floor has been explored. This alarming statistic comes from research by Katy Croff Bell, who emphasizes the vital role of the deep sea in regulating Earth's climate and its potential for scientific discovery. "The deep sea is the planet's life support system," Bell explains, highlighting its importance in oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption. However, the high cost of deep-sea exploration limits research primarily to high-income countries like the US, Japan, and New Zealand. Further complicating matters, potential cuts to ocean research funding under the Trump administration threaten future exploration efforts. Bell's work underscores the urgent need for increased investment and innovative technologies to make deep-sea research more accessible and comprehensive, ensuring the protection of this largely unexplored and vital ecosystem.