Welcome to an In-Depth Exploration

The oceans are among the most powerful entities on our planet; yet, as a species, we have only scratched the surface of their exploration. Most individuals will likely never venture far beyond the shoreline (if they even make it that far).

You've probably come across the claim that merely 5% of our oceans have been explored—let's take a moment to truly reflect on that.

Water covers 71% of our planet, housing more life than we can ever hope to discover. Astonishingly, less than 25% of the ocean floor has been mapped.

The extreme pressure in the ocean's depths makes it almost unfeasible to explore beyond the surface.

More people have traveled to the moon than have descended into the ocean’s deepest regions.

The Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench is the deepest known point on Earth, sitting at an astounding 35,853 feet below sea level; it wasn't until 2019 that a human first reached this depth.

What we do know about oceanic life is both incredible and enigmatic.

Sea creatures inhabit a world entirely different from the terrestrial space we occupy.

Have you visited an aquarium lately? If not, I highly recommend it. Observing jellyfish, seahorses, and octopuses up close almost made me believe that aliens could indeed be living among us.

Even if they aren't, the existence of such fascinating creatures on our planet, evolved to thrive in the ocean, suggests that life forms can adapt to environments unfathomable to humans.

So how can we confidently assert that there aren't countless species on distant planets that have adapted to their own unique conditions? Perhaps they are busy exploring their own worlds instead of looking to the stars.

Anyway… returning to our planet.

Although I've never had a desire to dive or swim with sharks, I have an appreciation for documentaries showcasing the vast array of life beneath the surface of the oceans.

Scientists have captured stunning footage of everything from coral reefs to anglerfish—it's genuinely remarkable. And this astonishing ecosystem represents only 5% of the ocean?!

The life forms that researchers have managed to study in the ocean's darkest regions intrigue me the most.

Many of these organisms have what appear to be LED-like lights adorning them, and some can emit luminescence as a defense mechanism against predators. Did you know that fish can emit light?! I certainly didn't.

Natural fluorescence has been discovered in various species including fish, sharks, stingrays, coral, and other marine life.

Consider the wonders that lie beyond our current understanding.

The Octopus: A Unique Entity or Alien?

There is a captivating documentary on Netflix titled My Octopus Teacher, which chronicles a diver's daily visits to a particular octopus.

He witnesses a significant portion of her life cycle, including the regeneration of a limb after a shark attack and the birth of thousands of tiny octopuses.

These remarkable creatures are often dubbed as if they are "from another planet." They are highly intelligent, solitary beings that have evolved to thrive despite having a short life span.

The oceans represent a realm distinct from our own.

This doesn't necessarily imply that the unique life forms found underwater originated from outer space, but if aliens were to establish a habitat in our oceans, would we ever discover their existence?

The Largest Known Creatures

The blue whale holds the title of the largest mammal on Earth that we are aware of. Can you imagine being in the open ocean and seeing something larger than a semi-truck approaching you?

The lion's mane jellyfish can grow tentacles extending up to 120 feet, making it the largest jellyfish species known to us.

The largest turtles on the planet inhabit the oceans for most of their lives; they can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and live for more than a century (if they are fortunate).

What’s alarming is that these creatures dwell near the surface; the phenomenon known as abyssal gigantism suggests that immense size could be an adaptation for species living in the ocean's most profound areas.

Colossal squids are the largest known invertebrates, reaching lengths of up to 46 feet. They are not only legendary deep-sea dwellers but also remain enigmatic due to the difficulties involved in studying them in their natural habitat.

Megalodon sharks may or may not be extinct, but there is clear evidence of a shark species that exceeds three times the size of a great white.

What else could be lurking in the more than 90% of the ocean that remains largely unexplored?

The Mermaid: Myth, Legend, or Reality?

It's easy to think that most mermaid folklore originated from sailors who had been at sea for too long and began to hallucinate.

Various cultures offer different interpretations and legends of mermaids and sirens, including monkey-fish hybrids known as ningyo in Japan. A mummified ningyo was being reexamined in February 2022, though results have yet to be made public.

Despite the absence of documented evidence of such humanoid beings, the concept of an imagined species beneath the waves is significant. What if some reported sightings were genuine? What if they were encounters with visitors from an aquatic alien world?

If they were real, would these beings even wish to be found?

The Bermuda Triangle: A Place of Mystery and Anomalies

In the Atlantic Ocean region known as the Bermuda Triangle, travelers face various threats, from rogue waves and toxic seaweed to Bermuda's magnetic anomalies and potentially explosive natural gas. Yet, many disappearances in this area remain unexplained.

Numerous planes and vessels (including those from the U.S. Navy) have vanished without a trace while traversing these waters.

Pilots passing through the Bermuda Triangle have reported encountering clouds that seem to teleport them, attaching to their aircraft with electromagnetic force and propelling them faster than usual while consuming less fuel.

There are tales of abandoned boats found intact, complete with supplies and personal belongings, yet the crew and passengers were mysteriously absent.

Did everyone really jump overboard and drown?

The Sargasso Sea is filled with toxic seaweed that could induce psychosis if inhaled for prolonged periods; could this account for multiple mass suicides?

Is this location home to sea monsters?

Could there be extraterrestrial activities at play?

The unpredictable conditions hinder exploration efforts to uncover the reasons behind these disappearances. Numerous theories and conspiracies surround this enigmatic place, one of several "Triangle" anomalies that remain perilously mysterious.

Save the Turtles!

Among the findings in the ocean's deepest areas was pollution.

By now, we must all recognize that oceans and marine ecosystems are suffering extensive damage from the chemicals, waste, and other unnatural materials being carelessly discarded into the ocean, disregarding the adverse effects on the environment.

It is essential to address this concern when discussing the ocean.

Millions of undiscovered species will remain unseen if we continue to destroy their habitats.

The Exploration: High Risk and High Cost

I couldn't locate a statistic on how many individuals have perished while exploring the ocean (grim, I know; I was curious). From sunken ships to diving expeditions gone awry and submersibles that have met tragic fates, it is clear that thousands have been lost at sea throughout history.

Will we ever be able to explore the ocean's uncharted territories?

Perhaps one day we will deploy robots to delve into the depths rather than risking the lives of scientists dedicated to broadening our understanding, although the journey itself seems to be a significant part of the allure for researchers.

Operating oceanic research vessels incurs costs of tens of thousands of dollars daily. Submarine excursions can be equally or even more expensive, particularly given the negative associations following the OceanGate incident.

Is this research worth the inherent dangers?

The ocean is breathtakingly beautiful yet strangely elusive. It possesses the power to obliterate islands and coastal cities while simultaneously sustaining life for millions of creatures that most of us rarely encounter.

Next time you find yourself on a beach gazing out over the vastness of the water that comprises most of our planet, consider the fact that we inhabit a world that remains largely incomprehensible even to its own inhabitants.

It is humbling to be reminded of our insignificance in the grand scheme of things.

Keep in mind that life itself is an anomaly we do not fully comprehend, and our species still has much to learn.

Thank you for reading!

Follow me for more insights like this :) Also check out @Illumination, @Real, & @ThoughtThinkers for a variety of stories from myself and fellow creatives!