Diving after “known unknowns” and “unknown unknowns“…

In recent years scientists have been amazed by “islands” of life on the ocean floor, where deep-sea species thrive around volcanic vents. Dr Jon Copley will examine why they are important, and the unexpected spin-offs from exploring the half of our planet covered by water more than two miles deep.

Jon Copley is a marine ecologist, trying to understand the patterns of life in island-like habitats beneath the waves. He works at the University of Southampton, in the National Oceanography Centre. Much of his research is focused on exploring newly-discovered “islands” of life on the ocean floor, where colonies of deep-sea species thrive around chemical sources of energy such as volcanic vents.

Further Resources*

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6983266.stm

http://www.personal.soton.ac.uk/jtc/

This event was filmed as part of our season on Breakthrough Science in Autumn 2009. From innovations of the past, to cutting-edge research of the future, Science Oxford Live explored the world of discoveries and inventions.