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Thursday, April 5, 2012

E Is For Sylvia Earle

Today I wanted to cover someone who made her mark in one of my fave fields, science. I often wish that I had a head for science, but the truth is I just never did well in the subject, though I loved it. I do think science is one area where we need to stir the interest of young girls. We do need more scientists of the female persuasion in my opinion.

So without further ado... My E is for Sylvia Earle, oceanographer and hero of mine. She lead the first team of all women aquanauts in 1970 during the Tektite II project,  a deep sea habitat program in which divers lived under the ocean for 10 to 20 days at a time and studied the effects on the human body as well the psychological effects of working in a closed environment.

In 1979, Sylvia made a JIM suit dive to the ocean floor near, Oahu, Hawaii, setting a woman's depth record at 381 meters (1250 ft.). She also owns the record for a woman's solo dive in a submersible at 1000 meters (3300 ft.).

She founded Deep Ocean Engineering with her husband, engineer and submersible designer, Graham Hawkes in 1985. The company designed and built the Deep Rover research submarine in 1987, which operates down to a depth of 3300 feet. She left the company in 1990 to accept an appointment as chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seven years later she started DOER, Deep Ocean Exploration and  Research, a company that designs, builds and operates equipment for deep ocean environments. A company that is now run by her daughter, Elizabeth.In 1998 she named Time Magazine's first "hero for the planet."

She has lead more than 60 deep sea expeditions and served as the leader for the Sustainable Seas Expedition from 1998 to 2002, a five year program to study the United States National Marine Sanctuary. In 2009 she was awarded a TED grant and founded Mission Blue, a program that aims to create marine protected areas around the globe. So far they have established these so-called "hope spots" in Cuba, Belize, the Galapagos Islands and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Fun Factoid

Sylvia is a Knight of the Netherlands' Order of the Golden Ark

Thank you for stopping by today and visiting me during this awesome A to Z Challenge. To visit the other amazing participants, click here.

24 comments:

  1. strange how Cameron didn't hire her for his projects :)

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    1. I know, right? He should have. She would have shown him a thing or two around the deep blue. :)

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  2. Oceanographer? Wow, this has to be one of the hardest jobs in the world. Kudos to her! That requires great bravery!

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    1. It does! I would be scared to get into one of those small subs and venture down into the deep dark. I think that's one of the reasons I admire her.

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    1. Sylvia is one lady I have admired for a long time.

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  4. WOW! Amazing lady.

    Stopping by via the A - Z challenge link up. I am following you through GFC and Twitter, I've also paid a visit to your facebook page and liked it.

    Feel free to stop by my blog at http://www.scatteredmusings.net/2012/04/buying-car/ (my combined b-d post)

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    1. Hi Debbie! Thank you so much for the support. And liking my FB page. :) I can't wait to read your posts.

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  5. All that AND she's a Knight? Wow. Now there's someone who's led a really cool life.

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    1. I know! I was blown away by that part. how cool is that? A knight...Definitely a unique accomplishment.

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  6. I think it's great that you're doing the A to Z challenge. I wish I could find the time. I only updated my blog twice last month. I'm seriously falling off the wagon. Need some inspiration!

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    1. I think I've gotten in a bit over my head with my upcoming move. LOL. Here's hoping you find some inspiration, your blog is one of the coolest places in the blogosphere. :)

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  7. What an incredible woman!

    Diving is tough on the body, so she must be in super shape too.

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    1. Isn't she? I first heard about her years ago and I have admired her since then. She is an inspiration to me to push ahead and succeed. I should hope to be in half as good a shape as she's in when I reach her age.

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  8. Another amazing woman I hadn't heard of.
    My daughter has chosen to study Physics as one of her A'levels. I have no idea where she gets it from!

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    1. That is awesome about your daughter! I love hearing about women studying and entering the field of science.

      Sylvia is certainly extraordinary. She's published something like 125 articles and a couple of books.

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  9. Fascinating! I'm a scuba diver, so I'd be really interested in reading her studies.

    Thanks for sharing!

    My E

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    1. Wow! You scuba dive? How fun and incredibly cool is that!! You should definitely pick up some of her books and articles, then. They are terrific reads.

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  10. I didn't know it's possible to live under water for any length of time, much less 10-20 days. The most "daring" water sport I've tried is snorkeling. You're showcasing such a diverse mix of extraordinary women, Melissa. More kudos and gratitude to you.

    xoRobyn

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    1. Aww...Thank you very much, Robyn.

      I hear you on the water activities. I can barely swim. :)

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  11. Yes indeed - you're opening this sheltered boy's eyes with some truly inspiring women - I've always liked the undersea people - from the Cousteau specials when I was a kid to...Sylvia Earle three minutes ago! Fantastic post, Melissa!

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    1. Thanks, my friend! I loved Cousteau, too, and remember all those adventure specials aboard the Calypso. That's part of the reason I was drawn to Sylvia.

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  12. Deep sea habitat sounds good, but I can't help but think of the city of Rapture from Bioshock ...

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    1. Jamie, you know, I thought along similar lines,though the James Cameron film The Abyss was what came to mind for me. :)

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