The deep ocean comprises more than 90 percent of our planet’s biosphere and is home to some of the world’s most dazzling creatures, which thrive amid extreme pressures, scarce food supplies, and frigid temperatures. Living things down here behave in remarkable and surprising ways, and cutting-edge technologies are shedding new light on these critically important ecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book leads you down into the canyons, trenches, and cold seeps of the watery abyss, presenting the deep ocean and its inhabitants as you have never seen them before.
- Features a wealth of breathtaking photos, illustrations, and graphics
- Gives a brief and accessible history of deep-sea exploration
- Explains the basics of oceanography
- Covers a marvelous diversity of undersea organisms
- Describes habitats ranging from continental slopes to hydrothermal vents and abyssal plains
- Discusses humanity’s impacts on the deep ocean, from fisheries and whaling to global climate change and acidification
- Written by a team of world-class scientists
Michael Vecchione is a zoologist in the NOAA Systematics Lab at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. Louise Allcock is professor of zoology at the University of Galway. Imants Priede is professor emeritus of zoology at the University of Aberdeen. Hans van Haren is physical oceanographer at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).
"I am at a loss for words to tell you how much I have appreciated this book."—David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds
"The most fantastic book. . . . It’s really accessible, explains in really clear, clear detail how the oceans work, how they change, what real impacts the ocean can have in our lives, and overall it’s a fascinating read."—Ken Whelan, Mooney Goes Wild, RTÉ Radio 1
"Time for a real coffee-table book, one to dip into whenever you feel like plunging far beyond where scuba can take you. This, like Inshore Fishes above, is an offering from Princeton University Press, which has form in producing attractively produced books for divers to enjoy. . . . [The authors’] tone is scientific but always accessible, so it depends on how much deep information you want or need – the contents feel comprehensive – but for many of us it’s the photography that will be the main attraction."—Steve Weinman, Divernet
"Strikingly beautiful . . . . Packed with images and illustrations of the life found in this dark and cold environment. . . . Whether you just love the ocean and want to learn more, or whether you are a budding marine biologist, this is a book that you are going to want to add to your bookshelf."—Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse
"[This book] dissipates ignorance with superb colour photographs of astonishing organisms."—Andrew Robinson, Nature
"Any individual unfamiliar with, but interested in, the deep sea should meet no challenges in learning much from this book."—S.R. Fegley, Choice
"A fascinating visual account of one of the planet's last great frontiers. . . . [It] reveals the amazing diversity of undersea organisms."—Outdoor Photography
""An outstanding book.""—Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association
"[A] must read."—Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature Newsletter
"Purchase of this book can be justified for the spectacular photographs of deep-sea organisms alone."—Paul Dando, Marine Biological Association
