A talk by Dr. Andrew Thurber

Earth’s deep seas are so dark, cold and remote that they can seem like part of another planet. But they play an integral role in our lives.  The deep sea off of Oregon, for example, provides a wealth of food to our tables and supports our economy. It provides nutrients that fuel our shallow fisheries and helps keep our climate moderate. It is also an epicenter of biodiversity. Vast canyons, hot vents and cold seeps just off our shore support a wealth of unique life and habitats whose role, distribution and importance we are just beginning to appreciate. Currently the deep sea is facing new and expanded use by humans. Collectively, the decisions we make today about protecting and regulating this habitat will impact our coast for decades to come. Discover more about the Oregon deep sea and learn about current scientific research, the role our deep sea plays in both our economy and our environment, and how Antarctica is a useful model of how our coast will respond to climate change