Surprise when discovering the

In contrast to a quiet and wild Antarctic, the world under the ice there is as vibrant and diverse as any tropical sea.

Tens of millions of years ago, during the continental rupture, Antarctica was separated. With an average temperature of -25 ° C, it freezes completely. Strong currents swept from West to East Antarctica also became a solid retaining wall, preventing the entry and escape of living organisms.

By the 20th century, efforts to go as far as the South of the Earth were made by many explorers. The further south is, the more warm it is, so people are sure that the Antarctic must have a "dream survival point" . And just like the frustration of running out of the Arctic, Antarctica has nothing but snow.

Antarctica possesses meters of thick ice.

There is nothing on the ice, so what about below it? Antarctica possesses meters of ice, even kilometers, that is why life beneath the ice has always been a mystery to science. And they decided to do it.

Deep diving in the Antarctic sea was tested early but encountered many difficulties. The temperature below the ice is always negative. Without proper diving equipment, divers will lose their lives within 10 minutes.

It took up to 2 years to prepare, Mr. Laurent Ballesta - a French expert - decided to get a diving spot. He circled the Dumont d'Urville area with a radius of 9.7 km. With his expedition team, the Ballesta successfully conquered the deepest diving in Antarctica ever since - 70m.

Prepare and conduct diving

With a rock drill, the Ballesta group punched a hole that had just fallen on a 3m thick ice sheet, dropping a glowing rope to mark the location.

Diving costumes are specifically designed to ensure heat preservation. It consists of 4 layers, outside is 1.3cm thick waterproof rubber, followed by wool, tight-fitting, electrically heated, and finally heat-retaining lining.

Their wetsuit weighs a total of 91kg, bulky no less than an astronaut's outfit.

Ballesta's diving site was so cold that when he got into the water, the crater began to freeze. Although he has dived deep in South Africa to photograph rare finfish, swim 24 hours off Fakarava (France), he is still not startled.

"The weight of clothing makes swimming nearly impossible, but without it, divers will lose their lives," Ballesta said.

At a temperature of -1.7 ° C below the surface of the ice, the seawater is still in liquid form but it makes the body extremely painful because of the sharp price. In return, he saw a real fairy scene.

Beneath the Antarctic ice surface.

Huge ecosystem

Despite being frightened when he saw that the ice hole on his head closed, Ballesta forgot all about it before his eyes, a beautiful fairy-like scene. After a long winter, the plankton is still sleeping, the endless blue Antarctic seabed is not cloudy. Light penetrates through the cracks in the ice, illuminating immense.

Huge starfish crawling slowly, each one has 40cm big.

Under the depth of 9-15m, kelp looks like a "dense garden" , a long leaf of 3m slithering. Huge starfish crawling slowly, each one has 40cm big. Sea spiders are also not inferior, just counting one leg is more than 10cm.

Under the depth of 50m, the Antarctic seabed is covered by the water carpet and scallop. Antarctic oysters are also very large, average size 10cm, the youngest "young" must be 40 years old. Seagulls flourish. Huge water beetles are full of cows and feed around.

Under the depth of 50m, the Antarctic seabed is covered by the water carpet and scallop.

Under the depth of 70m, coral, colorful sponges bloom, lush and no less than any tropical sea. Covered fish in coral clusters, shellfish shows bulky armor, even the invertebrate crowd is also extremely large.

On the top of the Penguin Ballesta, seals swim for food and play. Five quick sounds passed. Ballesta must "pay" for 7 months to recover health but he is happy.

Kelp reaches up to 3m long.

"A fierce but worthwhile dive trip" - Ballesta is proud. Perhaps someday, he will return to this place, breaking the record of deep diving conquered himself.