Dive to the Deep Ocean: Voyages of Exploration and Discovery (Turnstone Ocean Explorer Book)

Grade 4-8-A lively look at the technological development of submersible vessels and some of the discoveries associated with them. Maps, full-color and black-and-white photos, and/or drawings appear on every page and amplify the narrative. A double-page diagram compares the heights of familiar land mountains with undersea mounts. A basic difficulty of exploring the deep-sea environment is the issue of water pressure, and this is deftly explained in a text box entitled "The Weight of Water." Kovacs includes scientists' imaginings and how they build the tools to match their dreams. The accounts of the fears, problems, and setbacks encountered before solutions and success were achieved are particularly interesting. Such milestone events as the discovery of hydrothermal vents and the Titanic are described to demonstrate the use of deep-sea submersibles for research. The spheres used in the first Alvin are shown in a series of black-and-white photographs while the narrative describes the arduous 1964 testing process. Color photographs with detailed labels invite readers to explore Alvin and Jason. Sonar pictures using 1990s technology provide images of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that appear in three dimensions, which readers are asked to compare with the photographs obtained in the 1970s. Good homework support and great reading for those interested in ocean work.
Frances E. Millhouser, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
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