China, reminding the world that we still have a lot of exploring to do on Earth, is poised to become the world leader in deep ocean diving, according to several news reports. The country has developed a three-manned submersible craft that on Tuesday, reached a depth of just over 5,000 meters. For the metrically challenged, that’s more than three miles. The current record holder for a currently working submersible is a Japanese craft that ventured down to 6,500 meters in 1989. The Chinese say they will send their craft down to 7,000 meters next year. The all-time depth record was set in 1960, by the U.S. Navy’s Trieste, now retired, which ventured almost 11,000 meters down in the Mariana Trench off the Philippines.
China’s State Oceanic Administration said the currently achieved depth will give the sub, named Jiaolong (sea dragon), access to more than 70 percent of the world ocean’s floor. America’s prosaically named Alvin can dive to 4,500 meters and reach about 63 percent of the ocean bottom. China’s goals are thought to be primarily commercial, looking toward the day when mining the seabed will be practical.
A sampling of news accounts: Xinhua‘s unbylined English account is here. The Wall Street Journal looks at the business angles in a story by Jeremy Page. Rowan Callick in The Australian.
-Boyce Rensberger
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