With supplies of some critical metals running low, the race to develop underwater crawlers, like this one led by a Dutch group, is in high gear. But some scientists fear that deep sea mining will wreck the seafloor, a world not fully understood. This rare, albino octopus, nicknamed Casper, a species only discovered three years ago. Craig Smith: When we go out and collect a sample on the seafloor, we collect hundreds of new species.
Craig Smith is an oceanographer at the University of Hawaii. He told us he was surprised at how much life could survive three miles deep. His expeditions to the CCZ have turned up fantastical creatures like this squidworm, or a fluorescent sea cucumber dubbed a "gummy squirrel.
That the ocean is so vast that-- it could absorb the activity in that Bill Whitaker: Won't deep sea mining actually be less invasive, have less of an impact than mining on land? Craig Smith: I would say no. Mining is mining. I think it's similar to strip mining on land. And it'll take a really long time for things to recover. Smith is working with the United Nation's Seabed Authority, which set aside nine protected areas that will be off limits to miners.
Bill Whitaker: If you find that the environmental impact is severe, would this stop the project? Kris Van Nijen: Absolutely. I don't think-- we're not in-- into this project to come up with a means to produce metals worse than what is being done today.
We're in it because we believe it can be done better. So far 19 different countries have licenses in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, China has more than anyone else. Russia and Japan have also jumped in. Who's missing? It's not for lack of trying.
The U. But it was dead on arrival in the Senate, despite repeated attempts to ratify it, including this past July. Jonathan White is a retired rear admiral who now runs a non-profit to protect oceans. He told us that being outside the treaty means the U. Jonathan White: It's a law. And if we're not gonna be part of that lawful system, doesn't it make us sort of outlaws of the sea? With the U.
Last month, China unveiled its new weapons that included an underwater drone that will patrol the ocean. Jonathan White: If you're in the military, a weapon system, the guidance of our weapons, X-ray machines, microwaves, they all rely on elements that are hard to come by. Jonathan White: It absolutely concerns me. It concerns me with relation to our national security going forward. We need to be in this game. So we called the 22 senators opposed to the treaty, all Republicans, to ask why.
None would appear on camera. Those who wrote us said that ceding any control to the United Nations was a deal-breaker. But Rear Admiral white worries if the U. Jonathan White: I think it means that, again, we become more isolated, especially in terms of a growing global economy. The country that made it to the moon first may now miss the race to this new frontier -- and the untold riches of the deep. The Maersk Launcher Our adventure began at three in the morning. Bill Whitaker: So what makes them so valuable?
What's is in that? Gerard Barron: Well, that is a electric vehicle battery in a rock. Bill Whitaker: It looks like a lump of charcoal. Nodules on the ocean floor And there they were. Warwick Miller: It's a great day to be a geologist.
Bill Whitaker: You said it was a great day to be a geologist, what'd you mean? The video above was originally published on December 6, and was edited by Will Croxton. Recent Segments Carnegie heroes and the neuroscience behind acts of heroism. Stanching the longest-running oil spill you've likely never heard of.
Missouri law prohibits local police from enforcing federal gun laws. Yuval Noah Harari on the future of the human race. Departing from Lahaina Harbor, the Reefdancer tours the only barrier reef in Maui. Once we are out to the best viewing site, you can sit in front of the big windows in our underwater viewing cabin for a close up view of the reef. This is when our divers will jump in the water and search the bottom for exotic critters they can bring right to your window—a great photo opportunity!
On the way back to the marina, guests can ride up on the top deck and get an amazing view of the beautiful West Maui Mountains from the water. In fact you can ride up top anytime you like during the trip.
We loved our trip on the reef dancer!
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