"As far as the ocean is concerned, we're in the Lewis and Clark era," says marine biologist Sylvia Earle. The National Geographic Society explorer will spend the next five years charting the depths of the 12 US national marine sanctuaries.
Earle is one of 17 scientists funded by the society's Exploration Council. Now in its first year, the council doled out US$1 million to back a subterranean mapping project, a high-altitude archaeological dig, and other excursions into the unknown. Traveling the ocean floors in her one-person sub, Earle will bring back invaluable data on marine ecosystems. Of course, she'll also bring back a great story for the society's 10 million members. That may be why council director Rebecca Martin refused to divulge further details, saying, "We want to break the news."
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