26 Feb 07 - "Scientists at the University of Washington have developed an autonomous underwater vehicle that can stay out to sea for up to a year and dive to depths of nearly 9,000 feet -- nearly three times deeper than the deepest-diving military submarines.

"Known as Deepglider, the 71-inch long, 138-pound device is made of carbon fiber that can withstand the deep ocean's immense pressure. The energy-efficient, battery-powered glider carries sensors to measure oceanic conditions including salinity and temperature -- information that is key to understanding climate change.

"The glider's first trip revealed unexpected warming of water near the ocean floor, and scientists are interested in studying whether the temperatures are related to global warming.

"The maiden voyage was wonderful," says Charlie Eriksen, professor of physical oceanography at the University of Washington in Seattle. "On every dive we got within 10 meters of the bottom and we were able to see some interesting bottom temperature and salinity variations that we didn't know about, that I certainly didn't expect."

Source

wouldnt the warming be linked to the earth I mean theres hot lava under the crust and ocean floor usually sits on the thinest crust so wouldnt the heat be from underground

I look forward to seeing just how much these deep ocean hot-spots contribute to global warming, if they do at all of course.

Given that the magma has been under the crust since it formed, had it been heating the whole time the oceans would have boiled away now.

I wonder what evidence they have that these conditions are increasing in temp. as no probe has gone this deep before, or have I missed something?

geothermal heating.... an excellent natural source for power...

Forget nuclear power... we know that it is ridiculous..... harmful to the environment....

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/01...t-20070123.html


"
Geothermal energy could be major U.S. power source: report
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 | 12:38 PM ET
CBC News

A new in-depth study by U.S. researchers has found that much of that country's electricity needs could be supplied by harnessing geothermal energy.

The 400-page study — the first of its kind in 30 years — led by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., found that the heat energy stored in the Earth's rocky crust could likely be exploited cheaply and with little environmental impact.

The researchers examined the feasibility, possible ecological impact and economic potential of using so-called enhanced geothermal system (EGS) technology to give a major boost to the proportion of geothermal energy that could be used commercially. The study was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

"We've determined that heat mining can be economical in the short term, based on a global analysis of existing geothermal systems, an assessment of the total U.S. resource and continuing improvements in deep-drilling and reservoir stimulation technology," panel head Jefferson W. Tester of MIT said in a written statement.

The panel's recommendations in The Future of Geothermal Energy report include assessing potential sites in greater detail and seeing the federal government make a multi-year pledge to back a commercial-scale demonstration of the technologies.

But would it be that hot? I dont know. They find all sorts of strange things around under sea vents they had a cool documentary on it the other night

yeah. there was an entire eco system built around these ocean floor hot spots. and if they planon leaving a sub down there for a year, then they would definitely get to see some interesting things. i mean, when the tsunami hit they found i think it was 100 new species of fish? imagine staying down there for a year, on their turf. i cant wait for new pics of some crazy looking bug eyed fish with huge teeth.