Environment

Oscar-Winning Director James Cameron Sinks to a New Low (Literally!)

James Cameron reaches deepest spot on Earth

 

Update:

HONOLULU (AP) — Director James Cameron has returned to the surface of the Pacific Ocean after traveling to Earth’s deepest point.

The director of “Titanic” and other films used a specially designed submarine called “Deepsea Challenger” to dive nearly seven miles.

He spent time exploring and filming the Mariana Trench, about 200 miles southwest of the Pacific island of Guam.

He completed his mission Monday morning local time, Sunday evening on the U.S. East Coast, according to Stephanie Montgomery of the National Geographic Society.

Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh, a U.S. Navy captain, are the only others to reach the spot. They spent about 20 minutes there during their 1960 dive but couldn’t see much after their sub kicked up sand from the sea floor.

 

James Cameron reaches deepest spot on Earth

Photo: National Geographic

 

 

(The Blaze/AP) — Hollywood icon James Cameron has made it to Earth’s deepest point.

The director of “Titanic,“ ”Avatar” and other films used a specially designed submarine to dive nearly seven miles, completing his journey a little before 8 a.m. Monday local time, according to Stephanie Montgomery of the National Geographic Society.

He plans to spend about six hours exploring and filming the Mariana Trench, about 200 miles southwest of the Pacific island of Guam.

“All systems OK,” were Cameron’s first words upon reaching the bottom, according to a statement. His arrival at a depth of 35,756 feet came early Sunday evening on the U.S. East Coast, after a descent that took more than two hours.

The scale of the trench is hard to grasp – it’s 120 times larger than the Grand Canyon and more than a mile deeper than Mount Everest is tall.

Cameron made the dive aboard his 12-ton, lime-green sub called “Deepsea Challenger.” He planned to collect samples for biologists and geologists to study.

“It’s really the first time that human eyes have had an opportunity to gaze upon what is a very alien landscape,” said Terry Garcia, the National Geographic Society’s executive VP for mission programs, via phone from Pitlochry, Scotland.

The first and only time anyone dove to these depths was in 1960. Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard and U.S. Navy Capt. Don Walsh took nearly five hours to reach the bottom and stayed just 20 minutes. They had little to report on what they saw, however, because their submarine kicked up so much sand from the ocean floor.

“He is going to be seeing something that none of us have ever seen before. He is going to be opening new worlds to scientists,” Garcia said.

James Cameron reaches deepest spot on Earth

One of the risks of a dive so deep is extreme water pressure. At 6.8 miles below the surface, the pressure is the equivalent of three SUVs sitting on your toe.

Cameron told The Associated Press in an interview after a 5.1 mile-deep practice run near Papua New Guinea earlier this month that the pressure “is in the back of your mind.” The submarine would implode in an instant if it leaked, he said.

But while he was a little apprehensive beforehand, he wasn’t scared or nervous while underwater.

“When you are actually on the dive you have to trust the engineering was done right,” he said.

The film director has been an oceanography enthusiast since childhood and has made 72 deep-sea submersible dives. Thirty-three of those dives have been to the wreckage of the Titanic, the subject of his 1997 hit film.

Cameron discusses his equipment earlier in March before the trip:

Comments (66)

  • Baja
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:57am

    He must be looking for a portal to hell for his commie liberal Hollywood buddies.

    Report Post » Baja  
  • Gumbercules
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:49pm

    Let’s be sure to thank the government or none of this would have been possible.

    Report Post » Gumbercules  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:38pm

    I was hoping a giant sea monster would have made a tasty meal of him and the film floated to the surface.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • scuba13
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:12pm

    Well there goes the neighborhood.

    Report Post » scuba13  
  • airportengineer
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 11:53am

    Engineering rocks!

    Report Post » airportengineer  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:27am

    He was under pressure…

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • 1WhoQuestions
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:00am

    I look forward to seeing whatever they found down there. Should be some amazing images. Hopefully they’ll show it without any political BS.

    Report Post »  
  • rfycom
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:58am

    we have got to contain these left wing people. What will they do next?

    Report Post »  
    • OklahomaBound
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 11:02am

      You’re right rfycom, we need to stop these left-wing people who use freedom and capitalism to advance their own power and finances and then turn around and demonize it and try to overthrow it with socialism and communism so others are not allowed to prosper as they did. Thanks for agreeing.

      Report Post » OklahomaBound  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:57am

    He’s just doing stuff everyone thought about but were smart enough not to do.

    Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:42am

      I thought he sunk to a new low with that last stupid movie about blue people. I swaer I dont know why people watch his crap.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • sasquatch08
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:04am

    But did he find the Sphere?!?!

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:01am

    Well, what about you? If it‘s so great how come you haven’t tried it? Where is your phony success story?

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • S2S
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 5:43am

    The pressure at 6.8 miles down is ‘Three SUVs setting on your toe’ really? How about smarting it up just a bit? At 36,000 feet down, the water pressure is about 18,000 pounds per square inch, or about twelve-hundred times the air pressure at sea level, and would instantly crush you like a bug, should the vessel spring the tiniest of leak.

    .

    Report Post » S2S  
  • freedomofspeech
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 3:48am

    awsome

    Report Post »  
    • brickmoon
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:20am

      A great and notable achievement, but what are the odds, when the footage of this is broadcast, that they’ll manage to include at least a dig or two about human-caused threats to the environment — climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, etc.

      I would imagine something like, “Even at these great depths, we’ve found evidence of nasty man-made blah blah blah…”

      How refreshing it would be to see informative science and exploration without political or alarmist subtext.

      I’m not holding my breath.

      Report Post » brickmoon  
  • R.A. Bullseye
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 3:14am

    I couldn’t do it. I would get too claustrophobic.

    Report Post »  
  • Paul
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 3:11am

    Thrilled.

    Report Post » Paul  
  • burnbabylon
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:38am

    (Cue ominous music) I look into the future and I see…some good video clips…and the same old…lame old…left-wing messages. (Descending notes waa, waaa, waaaa)

    Report Post »  
  • EBL
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:16am

    http://evilbloggerlady.blogspot.com/2012/03/mariana-trenchs-challenger-deep.html I give James Cameron credit for doing this. This is a big deal. He took his money, invested in the equipment and did it. I disagree with a lot of Cameron’s politics, but I like him doing this.

    Report Post » EBL  
  • scrapadapolis
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:34am

    If he wants to impress me lets see how far he can free dive…You a rope and weights with only your lungs!!!

    Report Post » scrapadapolis  
  • NOT A CRAZY
    Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:20am

    Who gives a crap what this liberal tree-hugging POS did? I do not and as far as I am concerned he could have stayed down there and never come up.

    Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:07am

      You know it’s really sad that people like you are completely incapable of separating your politics from anything else in your life. Yes, James Cameron is a leftist and he and I are diametrically opposed on many issues, I’m sure; but that doesn’t take away from how awesome this accomplishment of his was.

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • EBL
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:17am

      I am glad for the human achievement. This is a place we have not been to since 1960. More people have been to the moon. So I am good with this.

      Report Post » EBL  
    • proliance
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:11am

      Well said Doctor Nordo.

      Report Post » proliance  
    • GeeWhiz
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:24am

      It’s an epic endeavour in human exploration that has never been done before in this way and will advance our knowledge of the science of our world.

      It is something to applaud, not something to deride.

      Report Post »  
    • Leader1776
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:23am

      @DOCTOR_NORDO
      Agreed. Oftentimes it is the people on the left that take this leap to do what others won’t. Now, many times it is because they choose not to hold truly productive jobs in society, but you still can’t take away their accomplishments. What makes our society as great as it is.

      Report Post » Leader1776  
  • macpappy
    Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:19pm

    So, other than doing this in a much more expensive sub, and painting it all leftest green and all, he really hasn‘t done anything a Frenchman and an American Navyman hasn’t done already.
    Where’s the story?

    Report Post » macpappy  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:33pm

      No story really, other than the fulfilling of one more Hollywood egomaniacs dreams.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Max jones
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:59pm

      Boy the1%ers sure have a lot of fun….huh?

      Report Post » Max jones  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:43am

      Regardless of his politics I say good for him. Cameron has (through his money) contributed massively to underwater technology and science. He is an example of a private individual donating/investing in science and technology for the advancement of human knowledge. He is PROFITING as a good capitalist from his investments.

      good for him. and his movie about bad government (Avatar) had great special effects. The spin off of special effects? all of the smart phones with the great interfaces.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Free2speakRN
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:54am

      The thing about ‘Avatar’ is that it’s a feminist view of actual “Mother Nature”. There is the worshipping of a mother planet. In reality, A.K.A. ‘Earth’.

      Feministic striving from not being able to speak of God in the abstraction of a ‘Father’. (GK Chesterton). They put the earth above mankind, as opposed to being good ‘stuwards’ of nature. (GK)

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 4:13am

      Come on guys, this is a pretty big thing. You are being a bit uncharitable. I agree that his politics are well to the left and he still thinks that human caused global warming is real, but that doesn’t take away from his many acheivements.

      He has gone from truck driver to Oscar winning film maker, just because he decided to, and that alone makes him a pretty impressive bloke. In “The Abyss” he created the diver’s mask that you can talk while diving in (so he could direct underwater) and many other acheivements.

      I am also one of those who is unimpressed with his politics, but as he is coming to live in New Zealand, perhaps we can persuade him to move a little further to the right.

      Well, probably not, but who knows.

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:51am

      FREE2SPEAKRN
      And that pretty much sums up the current administrations attitude about the earth.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:03pm

    Personally I don’t think God is going to have any mercy on Americans as a whole, maybe a handful, but I think God will kick the rest to the curb.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:09pm

      dude you have a very bad case of ADD

      please seek help

      Report Post » Psychosis  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:13pm

      I don’t need help, you do, because I already know God is going to drive you from your land, but you are the nut-job who hasn’t figured it out yet.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:17pm

      Do you think America is bad or evil compared to most we are saints evil is everywhere.

      Report Post » Mikev5  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:18pm

      And the Bible even said that God would send Elias before he does those things to get people back on track, but has any church, even the Catholic church noticed Elias? Nope! And actually the Catholic church even said Elias is evil. That’s not a good thing.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:29pm

      Mikev5,
      Well, Americans have a number on each America, and that’s pretty darn evil, and it’s even more evil, slothfully wicked that Americans just don’t really seem to care. And many nations that you call evil places, their people don’t have numbers, oh some do, but some don’t. Lets bust America down to the same standard of living that most other nations have, and see if you don’t do way more evil things.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:31pm

      I believe almost every Country on this planet only wants Pease and to understand all in a positive way the problem arises when too many factions gain power and change the outcome meaning our Politicians they become too powerful and start making the rules to favor them not the people they should represent.

      But I will say in America we are the responsible voters and we have ignored our responsibility to vote with our Brains not just vote on the same party every time just because that is the way they voted last time.

      As Americans we became LAZY we seem to vote based on looks now more than who will get the proper things done.

      Report Post » Mikev5  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:37pm

      @ Itsjusttim well now I know you are not an American because you don’t live here you don’t have a solid feel of a real American that lives here come visit us some time and get a solid feel for the USA you will find us to be quiet different than what you here.

      Live with for a year and learn the truth.

      Report Post » Mikev5  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:39pm

      Comparing the evil in America to other nations around the world is like trying to compare apples and oranges, because America just prints it’s way out of struggles, and therefore whether or not you have been doing evil doesn’t really cross your mind because you indulge in a steak and a movie instead. But I know this that Americans have been slowly killing the spirit of their children for 150 years by giving them uppity lifestyles while making no demands except get a good education and make good money, meanwhile Americans teach their daughters to mold husbands, and do not raise their sons to the fathers. Why don’t you answer your own question whether or not Americans are evil.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:42pm

      You people wouldn’t really know there is a God if he jumped up and bit you. Therefore you really wouldn‘t see the things that has kindled God’s wrath against you.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:47pm

      @ Itsjusttim so you think that because we have a number for every person in America that this is an evil thing? That’s just nuts and very strange you sound like you need to see someone about that bad case of paranoia you are developing.

      Everyone has a number you just don’t know it I don’t care where you live somewhere as you were bore you were gave a number even a name is a number if you think about it.

      Report Post » Mikev5  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:49pm

      I dont think you listen do you.

      Report Post » Mikev5  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:52pm

      Mikev5,
      Really now, numbering isn’t evil? That’s interesting because Satan stood up in David causing him to number Israel, and that was shortly before their captivity.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:57pm

      What do you think your captivity has been? It has been everything from sports to idolizing the lives of movie stars, to relishing in the kind of car you drive. That’s captivity. Actually you don’t know it, but losing all that stuff is good for you, because then you might actually sacrifice in your mind which is the temple of God.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Max jones
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:15am

      hey tim……Read your book…… Revelation says that the darkness WINS this round…….the WHOLE world worships the beast. 100%, not 99% or even 99.999%,but 100%….. Try to get your halfbaked religiousness around that one, bucko. Personally, I know I’ll be dead to this world when it is time……you keep trying to save yourself and you will lose. All the rest is politics and high finance: two subjects that are NOT going to survive.

      Report Post » Max jones  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:42am

      Itsjusttim
      It’s clear you don’t know America at all you judge us by what you see on TV If you are dumb enough to believe what you see on TV you are a fool.

      If you think reality TV is reality then you are an even bigger fool those programs are staged and manipulated for entertainment value only they get paid to be goofy and strange it’s a program get a grip.

      Movies are fantasy its entertainment nothing more
      You truly have no concert understanding of a real American if you value us by these things

      Report Post » Mikev5  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:00pm

    It’s a sorry thing the way Americans fund their own demise with big stupid smiles on their face when they go to movies.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Max jones
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:41am

      @itsjusttim………I appreciate your enthusiasm, but not your naivite’,. Religion has never solved a human problem nor saved a soul…but it has led our less gifted into a dark night. Jesus Christ Is my Lord and savior, but religion IS the bane of unvarnished truth. The false prophet of Revelation, who causes the whole world to worship the beast is a very, very religious man As are you, or so you appear. Be very careful, you may not have the “handle” on today’s reality that you think you have.

      Report Post » Max jones  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:38am

      I’ve been taking medication to help avoid posting.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 25, 2012 at 10:26pm

    Personally, I do not like this guy!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:11pm

      I agree Avatar was a spit in America’s eye but most people are too stupid to see it a more blatant put down of America you can’t find.

      Another communist Hollywood Director hiding his belief’s in his movies

      Report Post » Mikev5  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on March 25, 2012 at 10:24pm

    hopefully the hollywood communist won’t accidentally surface under Guam and tip it over.

    Report Post »  
    • Max jones
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:50am

      @ speckledpup…..Oh, you dog,that was funny! you made me spit beer all over the laptop……

      Report Post » Max jones  

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