Visit a Roiling Deep-Sea Vent in Glorious VR

[Narrator] This is a black smoker,

one of the most inhospitable habitats on earth.

Searing heat, total darkness,

crushing pressure.

With the help of remotely operated vehicles,

scientists are just beginning to understand it.

Their newest tool,

virtual reality.

That's right, deep-sea VR.

The deepest VR of all.

In March, scientists with the Schmidt Ocean Institute

observed this vent 3,600 feet deep near Samoa

for a rather thorough 150 hours.

The ROV took VR video

allowing the scientists aboard the research vessel, Falkor

to actually look around with a headset.

They even uploaded the 360 degree video to YouTube

so everyone can get in on the action.

The ROV also digitally mapped the black smoker.

That helps researchers pinpoint spots they want to explore

instead of just digging around willy nilly.

If the team ever returns to the vent,

they can remap it to see how it's changed over time.

Back on land, scientists can use this data

to do their own research in the comfort of their labs.

And they're working fast

if there's deep-sea mining companies

also have their eye on the vents.

You see, when water seeped into the sea floor,

underlying magma heats it up.

As this water churns, it picks up minerals like copper

and rare earth metals.

If mining companies decide to go after these minerals,

the black smokers might never look the same again.

But with the help of 3D mapping and VR,

scientists will always have a comprehensive picture

of this beautiful and bizarre ecosystem.

So, grab your VR headset and take a deep dive.

It's just like being there

without, you know, the instant death.