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Remote Controlled Deep-Sea Vehicle Lost in Pacific
Nereus's mission was to undertake high-risk, high-reward research in the deepest parts of Earth's ocean where pressure on the vehicle can be as great as 16,000 pounds per square inch. (Photo provided by Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Remote Controlled Deep-Sea Vehicle Lost in Pacific

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Oliver Darcy.

WOODS HOLE, Mass. (AP) — A remote-controlled research sub exploring some of the deepest depths of the Pacific Ocean has been lost.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution says the Hybrid Remotely Operated Vehicle Nereus was lost during its six-mile dive to the Kermadec Trench on Friday. The sub was being operated as part of the Hadal Ecosystems Studies (HADES) Program funded by the National Science Foundation.

Nereus's mission was to undertake high-risk, high-reward research in the deepest parts of Earth's ocean where pressure on the vehicle can be as great as 16,000 pounds per square inch. (Photo provided by Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) Nereus's mission was to undertake high-risk, high-reward research in the deepest parts of Earth's ocean where pressure on the vehicle can be as great as 16,000 pounds per square inch. (Photo provided by Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

The hadal zone is the name given to the deepest depths of the ocean, named for the underworld of Greek mythology. The Kermadec Trench is the fifth-deepest in the world, about 75 miles off the coast of New Zealand.

Woods Hole science editor Ken Kostel called the loss of Nereus a "body blow" but the research team will continue their work to learn more about "a place that does not give up its secrets easily."

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