Inside the Nerve-Racking Dive to an Active Submarine Volcano | Science

Susan Casey, the acclaimed author of “The Underworld,” recounts an exhilarating underwater adventure with Terry Kerby beneath the Makai Research Pier. Combining Terry’s passion for diving and Susan’s anticipation of encountering sharks, the two embarked on an unforgettable journey into the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

Overlooking Oahu’s eastern shore, the pair submerged themselves beneath the gauntlet of fishing lines hanging from the pier. Despite the drab weather and choppy waters, Terry’s unwavering dedication shone through as he swam his routine two-mile circuit every day without fail for the past four decades.

Terry’s attachment to the ocean reached spiritual depths. As the operations director and chief pilot of HURL’s state-of-the-art submersibles, Pisces IV and Pisces V, he had explored the vast Pacific Ocean extensively. His career had been devoid of office jobs, clock punching, or anything resembling conventional employment. His domain was the deep sea.

After their exhilarating swim alongside sharks, Terry led Susan on a tour of HURL’s headquarters. The weathered building housed the massive Pisces submersibles, reminiscent of colossal sea creatures temporarily stranded on land. Equipped with advanced technology and instrumentation, the subs were marvels of engineering. Their sleek design, highlighted by high-definition cameras, sonars, and manipulators, showcased their ability to navigate the ocean’s depths.

Terry explained the intricacies of the submersibles, emphasizing the flexibility and precision of their hydraulic manipulators. The subs’ ballast tanks allowed them to adjust their buoyancies and move seamlessly through the water column. The buoyant, crush-resistant syntactic foam and strategically placed steel shot ensured stability during their deep-sea exploration.

As Susan entered Terry’s office, she found herself surrounded by mementos of his illustrious career. Pictures, awards, coral scraps, and driftwood adorned the space. Eager to hear Terry’s tales of the abyss, she settled into a couch fashioned from a car’s bench seat.

Terry’s recollection of his deep-sea experiences was unparalleled. He had a remarkable memory, rattling off details of dives, sub locations, and historical accounts. With his extensive collection of photos, videos, and logbooks, Terry immersed Susan in the captivating underwater world. His personal connection to sites like Loihi, the youngest volcanic creation in Hawaii, showcased his intimate knowledge of these mysterious environments.

Diving into Loihi’s depths for the first time in 1987, Terry felt a mix of excitement and caution. An active submarine volcano, Loihi presented unknown risks and challenges. However, armed with the Pisces V submersible, Terry ventured into the darkness, descending until he reached Pisces Peak, a majestic summit on the volcano. The otherworldly landscape, featuring black pillow lava, rust-colored mineral deposits, and waving strands of bacteria, captivated Terry’s senses.

In Susan Casey’s enthralling account, the reader is transported to the incredible world beneath the waves. Terry Kerby’s unwavering passion for exploration and the cutting-edge technology of the Pisces submersibles fuse together to create an unforgettable journey into the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

 

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Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.