What lurks at the bottom of the ocean?

Idea #3: The Alcubierre Warp

The theory of Alcubierre warp drives is based on the concept of stretching the fabric of spacetime in a wave-like shape which would cause the space ahead of the object to contract while the space behind it would expand. The object inside the wave would be able to ride the area, known as the ‘warp bubble’ between the two warped areas of space. This concept is known as ‘Alcubierre Metric’ . Linking back to Einstein's Theory of Relativity, it allows the warp bubble to appear in a previously flat region of spacetime and move effectively at speeds that exceed the speed of light. But there are a few problems with this theory. Namely, that there are no known methods to create a warp bubble and no way to know how you would leave one once in a bubble. In conclusion, I believe that scientists could find a way to time travel at speeds that exceed the speed of light as new discoveries are being made every day, and with new technological advancements, time travel could be possible How exciting!

Sources

● nbcnews.com/mach/science/what-relativity-einst ein-s-mind-bending-theory-explained-ncna86549 6 ● en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormhole#Faster-than-lig ht_travel ● en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_string ● space.com/20881-wormholes.html#section-throug h-the-wormhole ● spaceplace.nasa.gov/time-travel/en/#:~:text=In%2 0Summary%3A,than%201%20second%20per%20sec onds

By Isabella Pagadala Year 9 If you ventured to the bottom of the ocean, what would you find? From lost relics to legendary creatures, the bottom of the ocean is a place of spectacular biodiversity much of which is undiscovered. Oceanographers believe at least 75% is a region known as the “deep ocean” which extends from 1,000m deep to the ocean floor and receives no natural light. In the deepest parts of the ocean, the ocean floor is composed of oceanic crust, rocks and minerals, specifically basalt. Basalt is the most common volcanic rock type made of magma and is created through the process of upwelling on divergent boundaries. Oceanic crust is constantly forming at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates collide and rip apart. As magma that wells up from these tears, it cools, and becomes a new section of oceanic crust meaning that the age and density of oceanic crust increases with distance from mid-ocean ridges. The state of the crust and formations also reflect changes in water environments. The bottom of the ocean is also home to ruins and artefacts from the past, which reflect the lives of past humans, ancient climates, the evolution of our coastline and what life was like in the past. In the deepest sections, ocean archaeologists can, with the help of new technology, excavate the remains of ships sunk from collisions, war and storms. The deeper the

ocean, the colder water temperatures become, resulting in better preserved shipwrecks. An example is an ancient Greek wreck that sank in Antikythera in 100 BC. Found here are some of the oldest and best preserved objects in the history of ocean archaeology. These included the earliest computer, the Antikythera mechanism, a Greek device used to calculate astronomicaloccurrences. It uses the first set of

scientific scales and 30 gears that resemble that of clocks built a millennium later. Incredible and spectacular creatures are also found deep in the ocean, in depths we have only just begun to explore. From giant squid to tardigrades (water bears) creatures less than millimetre many of the creatures that lurk in the Deep ocean resemble near mythical creatures. Until recently, scientists believed the deepest parts of the ocean to be inhospitable with no light and pressure 380 times greater than it is at the surface. The Humboldt Squid is one of the deadliest predators, growing up to 2.5m long. Each tentacle contains over 100 suckers that resemble barbed wire. Perhaps its deadliest attribute is the ability to hunt in packs, many of these over 100 squid in size. Moreover, like many deep sea animals, Humboldt squid have bioluminescent organs for camouflage and communication in the dark. They also have a unique pigment cell called chromatophores meaning their skin can change texture and colour faster than the human eye can see.

Another mystical creature, with astonishing capabilities is the Goblin shark, known for its ability to unhinge its jaw when feeding. Marine biologists know very little about them as they have only rarely been sighted and and are almost never filmed while alive. They are named after the mythic goblins in Japanese folklore and are found at depths of 1300m. Separating them from most deep sea sharks, they have smallish eyes with fully functional irises that contract and dilate suggesting they occasionally come into contact with natural light. With travelling to the deepest depths of the ocean, proving harder than travelling to the moon, we still don’t know for certain what lurks in the depths. However, with scientific and technological capabilities improving, maybe soon we will have a better idea of what exactly is down there and how it came to be. And perhaps, in the future, we will be able to travel down into the depths for a holiday!

Sources

● worldatlas.com/articles /the-5-layers-of-the-ocean.html. ● oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/deep-ocean.html ● wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-keeps-the-oceanfrom-draining-through-the-sand ● scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=3657 ● geo.mtu.edu/KeweenawGeoheritage/BlackLavas/

Basalt.html ● geology.com/rocks/basalt.shtml ● ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/sharks-rays/dwarf-lanter n-shark ● nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/crust/ ● youtube.com/watch?v=53igmq2ntKg ● bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56377567 ● britannica.com/topic/Antikythera-mechanism ● whoi.edu/know-your-ocean/did-you-know/why-i s-pressure-different-in-the-ocean/ ● youtube.com/watch?v=UxvzjrDE1Kk ● oceana.org/marine-life/goblin-shark/ ● americanoceans.org/species/humboldt-squid/