Episode 1303: Alvin: Pioneer of the Deep

The deep-sea submersible Alvin has brought researchers and explorers to extraordinary places for more than fifty years. Now, Alvin is poised to continue its revolutionary scientific work with a new set of upgrades that will take it deeper than ever before, with the ability to reach more than 98% of the ocean. How has the research conducted with the Alvin submersible impacted our understanding of the oceans? And what can Alvin’s incredible history of discovery, inspiration, and daring tell us about life on Earth and beyond?

A Co-Production with:

Experts

Meet the experts featured in this episode.

Episode Photos

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HOV Alvin at the surface with swimmers tending to it. 2015. Photo by Luis Lamar.

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Drawing of first Alvin design by WHOI scientist Allyn Vine. 1960s.

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Two hemispheres make up Alvin's personnel sphere. 1969.

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Alvin pilot Valentine Wilson sits atop the research submarine, shown in its earliest incarnation. After Wilson came back from a trip to the Bahamas sporting a red beret, the hats were adopted as a badge of camaraderie among the members of the Alvin group. 1964.

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The U.S. Navy calls in Alvin to help find a hydrogen bomb that was accidentally dropped into the Mediterranean Sea. The Alvin team finds and helps recover the bomb. 1966.

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Diver John Porteous standing on Alvin. 1970.

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Alvin approaches mothership Lulu after a dive. 1966.

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DSV Alvin returning to tender ship R/V Lulu. 1970s.

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James Heirtzler and Dick Von Herzen near Glomar Challenger during Project FAMOUS. Heirtzler was the U.S. leader of Project FAMOUS. 1974.

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DSV Alvin in overhaul mode viewed from the aft end. 1974.

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Several divers and researchers, including Ken Macdonald (at right) standing topside on Alvin.

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Lava rubble on a slope viewed during Alvin dive 532, overseen by scientist James Heirtzler during Project FAMOUS. 1974.

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Researchers and engineers on the deck with DSV Alvin, rigged for diving, during the Galálapgos Rift expedition. 1977.

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The ANGUS imaging sled (Acoustically Navigated Geophysical Underwater System) deploying during the Galálapgos Rift expedition. 1977.

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Pilot Bruce Strickrott perched on top of Alvin on deck of Atlantis during the Dive and Discover, Expedition 2, East Pacific Rise. 2000s.

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This series of photos taken by the WHOI deep-tow camera ANGUS provided the first view of the abundant communities of life found for the first time on hydrothermal vents. 1977.

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Image taken from Alvin during the first discovery of hydrothermal vents on Alvin dive 0730. 1977.

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Robert Ballard, Ph.D. with the ANGUS sled during the Alvin expedition to Titanic. 1985.

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The camera sled ANGUS on its way down to Titanic. 1985.

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Pilot Dudley Foster and Robert Ballard, Ph.D. inside the Alvin personnel sphere during a dive. Unknown date.

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DSV Alvin suspended from the Atlantis II a-frame during a launch. 2008.

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The human-occupied vehicle Alvin dives to the depths. Photo by Luis Lamar. 2018.

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Alvin Pilot Bruce Strickrott with Alvin in the workshop at WHOI. 2010s. Photo by Mark Chester.

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A science team unloads samples from Alvin in the hangar onboard Atlantis. Photo by Ken Kostel. 2010.

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Swimmers tend to HOV Alvin at the surface with Atlantis in background. Photo by Luis Lamar. 2018.

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HOV Alvin begins a dive. Photo by Luis Lamar. 2016.

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The human-occupied vehicle Alvin dives to the depths. Photo by Luis Lamar. 2016.

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The Atlantis raising HOV Alvin out of the water after a dive. Photo by Luis Lamar. 2016.

Image Credits

Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Office of Naval Research (ONR)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Patricia Gregg, University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign

Daniel Fornari/WHOI-MISO

Paul Johnson, University of Washington

Dawn Wright, Esri

Jason Sylvan, Texas A&M University

Ivan Hurzeler and Acid Horizon, LLC 2014

Ivan Hurzeler and DEEP SEARCH

Ocean Exploration Trust, Inc.