Surface Operations
0 - 50m depth
R/V Falkor (too) deploys ROV SuBastian into the frigid Southern Ocean. Beginning historic descent to
discover the unknown.
ROV Deployment
Krill Swarms
Surface Currents
Sunlight Fade Zone
50 - 200m depth
Light rapidly diminishes as we descend. ROV cameras switch to low-light mode. Water temperature
begins dropping significantly.
Lanternfish
Copepods
Small Jellies
Mesopelagic Zone
200 - 400m depth
Entering the twilight zone. First bioluminescent organisms appear. Water temperature approaches
freezing. Pressure increases to 31 atmospheres.
Glass Squids
Vampire Squid
Deep Krill
Target Approach Zone
400 - 550m depth
Approaching colossal squid habitat. Marine snow increases dramatically. ROV lights pierce the
darkness. Optimal hunting depth for juvenile specimens.
Siphonophores
Deep Jellies
Antarctic Krill
Discovery Zone
550 - 600m depth
Target depth achieved. Historic encounter zone where 30cm juvenile colossal squid was filmed alive
for the first time in scientific history.
Colossal Squid
G. glacialis
Toothfish
Abyssal Waters
600m+ depth
Beyond target depth lies the infinite abyss. Adult colossal squids inhabit these depths - specimens
reaching 700kg with eyes 35cm in diameter.
Adult Colossal Squids
Sperm Whales
Unknown Species