An abyss is a depression or depth that, due to its characteristics, is majestic and risky. Typically, the abyss is located somewhere high up, like a mountain.
For example: “On the excursion, the guide asked us several times not to go near the abyss”, “The bus skirted the abyss before reaching the summit “, “A Norwegian made history by parachuting into the Gruek abyss ».
The term of abyss is also used figuratively, as a very considerable distance or discrepancy between human beings, thoughts, ideologies, etc.: “There is an abyss between the United States and the Cuban government”, “We will never agree: there is a chasm between us “, ” The ideological chasm between their religions did not prevent them from establishing a fruitful relationship, thanks to the opening of both “.
Abyss, on the other hand, is that situation that cannot be understood or circumvented; it can be related to a state of madness or a great failure, from which it is believed that it will not be possible to return. In a figurative sense, this term always has a negative tint, it describes an unfathomable state of mind, it speaks of perdition.
In theology, abyss is a concept that refers to a depth that has no bottom or end. In this sense, “getting out of the abyss” can be understood as a synonym for “rising”. The notion of abyss also alludes to Hell as a place of punishment and eternal penance.
The abyss of Helm, finally, is a fictional place that invented the renowned English writer JRR Tolkien for his work “The Lord of the Rings”. It is a depth that is next to the Thrihyrne peak, in the White Mountains.
Conquering the Challenger Abyss
The Challenger Chasm is the deepest point ever measured in the seas and is around 10,923 meters. It is located near the Mariana Islands, south of the Mariana Trench.
In his eagerness to discover and conquer, the human being has shown a fascination with the ocean floor since time immemorial; Given the differences in temperature and the high pressure of the water, a divers expedition would not be possible in this case, even if there were sufficient oxygen supply. For this reason, since 1872, a series of submarine trips began, which aimed to measure the deepest point of the sea.
The first measurement returned 8,184 meters; as of the year 1951, the results have exceeded 10,900 meters. But the ambition of these people did not end in a simple numerical data; his intention has been and continues to be to study underwater life at that depth. With this objective, four expeditions have been made so far; In two of them, the submarines were manned, while remotely controlled ships were used for the remaining two.
James Cameron, the acclaimed film director, has starred in the latest drop. On board the Deepsea Challenger, he undertook a journey of 2 hours and 36 minutes to reach the deepest point, where he planned to stay for more than six hours, exploring the ocean floor. However, due to leaks and flaws typical of these risky experiences, the time was reduced to two and a half hours.
As for unmanned explorations, the Japanese pioneered their Keiko submarine, which in 1995 set a new record for having gone deeper than any other so far. It was the first aquatic robot capable of descending more than 6,000 meters and its peak was 10,907, in the year 98. In addition, Keiko collected samples that contained marine organisms. Fourteen years after their debut, the Americans sent Nereus, whose advantage was that he did not need a cable for power.
