If Neil Armstrong called his first step on the moon a giant leap for mankind, successful attempts in the converse direction-to reach and study the bed of ocean- are fraught with as much excitement and sense of achievement. Exploration of the ocean bed, rich in mineral and biological matter, are still in a seminal stage and for an Indian to be involved in one such venture is indeed a recognition of this country's expertise in particular areas of science.It was Dr. P S Rao
of national institute of oceanography,Goa,who recently had what he calls the most thrilling experience of his life when he went 3600 meters down to the bed of the Atlantic ocean in a small submersible vessel.The objective of deep sea diving was to visit and study all the hydrothermal fields known to exist on the Atlantic ridge.
These field contains hydrothermal vents popularly called deep sea geasures,which are formed when sea water percolates into the oceanic crust through on the ridge.The water comes into contact with the core of the earth, called magma and rises in temperature.As the hot water comes up, it leaches metals from rocks. The metallic solution comes up, and when it comes into contact with sea water, it formes the over 20 meters high hydrothermal vents,also called hot springs.The temperature of these is around 375 degree Celsius ,they contain pure mineral elements without contamination by rock.
of national institute of oceanography,Goa,who recently had what he calls the most thrilling experience of his life when he went 3600 meters down to the bed of the Atlantic ocean in a small submersible vessel.The objective of deep sea diving was to visit and study all the hydrothermal fields known to exist on the Atlantic ridge.
These field contains hydrothermal vents popularly called deep sea geasures,which are formed when sea water percolates into the oceanic crust through on the ridge.The water comes into contact with the core of the earth, called magma and rises in temperature.As the hot water comes up, it leaches metals from rocks. The metallic solution comes up, and when it comes into contact with sea water, it formes the over 20 meters high hydrothermal vents,also called hot springs.The temperature of these is around 375 degree Celsius ,they contain pure mineral elements without contamination by rock.
