Latest news with #JacquesCousteau
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Guide to the Blue Holes of the Bahamas' Andros Island
Beyond the beaches and resorts of the Bahamas, Andros Island is the country's best-kept secret. A hidden world of blue and black holes pockmarks the coastline and interior. Andros has 200 blue holes, the highest concentration in the world. Blue holes typically occur around limestone. In the Caribbean, about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, sea levels were up to 120m lower than today. This exposed large areas of limestone bedrock to weathering and erosion. Slightly acidic rainwater seeped into the ground and slowly ate away the limestone, forming underground cave systems. Some of these caves collapsed and formed vertical sinkholes. When the last ice age ended and glaciers melted, sea levels rose and flooded the sinkholes, creating deep, water-filled vertical shafts with a distinctive dark blue color. Some holes are even black; the color varies with the type of bacteria in the water, the amount of oxygen, levels of light absorption, and other factors. Weathering and erosion created complex limestone formations and carved out underground tunnels that stretch for many kilometers. Divers flock to Andros to explore these labyrinths, with their stalactites and stalagmites, and dark, vertical shafts penetrating hundreds of meters. Though it's the largest island in the Bahamas, Andros is the least developed. Sometimes, the holes hide in plain sight, off dirt roads and among mangroves. Access is not heavily regulated and is managed by the Bahamas National Trust. No fees or bookings needed. All you need is bravery and scuba equipment. Some of the more famous blue holes include: Cousteau's Blue Hole (named after Jacques Cousteau), Stargate Hole, Captain Bill's Blue Hole, Uncle Charlie's Blue Hole, Benjamin's Blue Hole, and Rat Cay Blue Hole. They vary in depth but range from 30m to 60m. Historically, Andros was home to the Lucayan Indians, who lived there for centuries before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Bahamas in 1492. The Lucayans left traces of their civilization, including ceremonial sites and artifacts. These ancient remnants are part of the island's spiritual connection with the earth and sea. In the 1970s and '80s, legendary British diver Rob Palmer and his wife Stephanie conducted scientific dives in Andros's blue holes, stumbling upon Lucayan remains and a Lucayan canoe at the bottom of Stargate Blue Hole. Sadly, the canoe later disappeared from the site. Centuries after Columbus, the transatlantic slave trade brought Africans to the Caribbean. They developed new legends about the blue holes, combining them with traditional African beliefs. Writer Noelle Nicolls with Caribbean Beat explains that according to Yoruba elders, blue holes represent an ancient African water spirit known as Oshun Ololodi. While locals mostly associate Oshun with rivers and freshwater ponds, she is also the spirit of dams and reservoirs -- and thus indirectly, the blue holes in the Bahamas. Some locals believe that the Lusca, the Caribbean's answer to the kraken, lies in wait for unassuming divers. The Lusca is a half-shark, half-octopus creature, though some accounts depict it as a giant cuttlefish, octopus, or squid. This cryptid is supposedly 20 meters long and can drag humans and even ships into the depths. The first sighting of the Andros Island blue hole's monster was in 1836. An American captain told journalist Benedict-Henry Revoil that a kraken violently dragged two of his sailors into the ocean. One of the men chopped off an arm of the creature, which they presented to Barnum's American Museum. Curators doubted its authenticity. In 2011, a body with tentacles and a portion of a head reportedly washed ashore on Grand Bahama Island. However, this might have been just a rumor or tale; there was no evidence of this occurrence. Explorer Josh Gates interviewed a local fisherman who saw the Lusca. "We were fishing for dorado, and we happened to come across this strange animal," the fisherman told him. "I thought it was a whale shark, but getting within fifty feet of it, I found out it was a strange animal with tentacles and the head of a shark. The head was kind of similar to a mako shark, with a pointed nose. The tentacles were the last thing we saw." It seems likely this folktale developed from sailors trying to explain deaths around the blue holes. The Lusca remains a popular tale in Caribbean culture and even inspired the cheesy sci-fi film Sharktopus.
The Guardian
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A moment that changed me: I found my first grey pubic hair
A grey pube. There was no denying it. If I hadn't been contorted into what felt like an advanced yoga position trying to do up fiddly press studs on the crotch of the teddy I was wearing to a party, I would never have seen it. The party was for a novel I had written titled How to Kill Your Husband, and the theme was 'dress to kill'. I had planned on wearing stockings, a miniskirt, a garter belt with dagger, and the ridiculous teddy undergarment that you clearly needed an engineering degree to operate. But how could I dress to thrill when I knew what was lurking beneath? I immediately checked in with girlfriends. Had any of them discovered a grey pubic hair? Yes, yes, they had. What's more, having hit my 50s, there was apparently much more I had to worry about. I would soon need to spend my life savings getting rid of stretchmarks, cellulite, chin sags, eye bags, neck wrinkles, crepey cleavage, pelvic floor lethargy, dry vagina, muffin top and menopausal weight gain; apparently, hormonal changes meant that I would soon resemble one of those giant jellyfish in a Jacques Cousteau documentary, floating about like a flesh balloon. I would also require a Brazilian butt lift. Having dieted for years to be slim and trim, a peachy rear was now the bottom line in beauty. As was the trout pout, a procedure that involved taking fat from your backside and injecting it into your lips, so that you are talking out of your arse – which explains a lot about Hollywood. Then there was labiaplasty, or I could opt for a 'Barbie': a surgical procedure that involves a reduction of the labia minora, resulting in a smooth, flawless 'clamshell' appearance. (In 2017, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, labiaplasty was one of the fastest-growing cosmetic operations in the world.) After tightening and whitening my nether regions, the one grey pube problem could be eliminated by simply waxing the whole area, before 'vajazzling' it in Swarovski crystals. But I liked my big luxuriant bush. I checked in with male friends and discovered that grey pubes are very much not on their angst-o-meter. Nor were wrinkles, crinkles, kinkles (knee wrinkles), cankles (thick ankles), waddles (neck fat) or Brazilians. So why did my grey pube discovery feel so significant? It was the first time I confronted ageist sexism up close and experienced the chauvinism sewn into our psyche. While I was being dismissed as a hag, a bag and a crone, a bloke my age would be lauded as distinguished, matured, seasoned, a manther, a zaddy, a silver fox. The fashion police would not be so ready to cast a man out to sartorial Siberia. As I have said so often, it's time it went on a T-shirt, have you ever heard a man dismissed as 'mutton dressed as ram'? In my latest novel, four women seek retribution on the men who have sabotaged their careers for the crime of being menopausal. But every publisher I approached made the repulsed face of a kid who has been offered a plate of spinach. 'Nobody wants to read about middle-aged women,' one explained. 'They're just not that sexy.' For a moment, I lost confidence. Maybe I had passed my amuse-by date? Whenever I read books about women of my age, they usually die of despair in lonely flats and get eaten by their cats … But I don't know any women like that. All my female friends are going up Everest, down the Amazon or tap-dancing on tabletops. I finally found an enthusiastic publisher and, best revenge ever, the book became a bestseller, proving that there is no justification for shelving older female authors. Do I still worry about the odd grey pube? Once I was divorced and dating again, it quickly became the least of my worries. Reared on pornography, younger blokes don't know that women even have pubic hair. But the great thing about being in your 60s (or 'sexties', as I prefer to call it) is no longer caring what other people think. Great sex is about being relaxed and, by this age, you have learned to love the skin you are in, grey hair and all. In fact, I can't believe I'm even vertical, so if you'll excuse me … The Revenge Club by Kathy Lette is published by Head of Zeus (£9.99). To support the Guardian, order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
Forbes
30-03-2025
- Science
- Forbes
The ‘Great Blue Hole' Mystery — How Jacques Cousteau's 1971 Expedition Took It Mainstream
In the heart of the Caribbean, off the coast of Belize, lies a near-perfect underwater sinkhole. In ... More 1971, Jacques Cousteau's expedition mapped its depths, uncovering clues to its ancient origins. Sinkholes are natural depressions that form when rock dissolves or collapses, creating deep voids in the ground. While they are commonly found on land, they also exist in the ocean, often appearing as deep, circular pits in shallow coastal waters. These oceanic sinkholes typically originate from limestone caves that formed thousands of years ago, when sea levels were much lower. Over time, as rising waters flooded these caves, some collapsed, leaving behind the massive, submerged sinkholes we see today. One of the largest and most famous of these is the Great Blue Hole, located off the coast of Belize. Measuring over 1,043 feet across and about 407 feet deep, this massive submarine sinkhole was known to local fishermen for generations. However, it wasn't until the mid-20th century, as ocean exploration advanced, that it gained international attention. As interest in the world's oceans grew, so did the curiosity surrounding this geological anomaly. By the late 1960s, ocean exploration was undergoing a transformation. Advancements in scuba technology, underwater photography and submersibles were making the deep sea more accessible than ever, while a surge in public fascination — driven by television and scientific curiosity — was pushing marine research into the mainstream. At the forefront of this movement was Jacques Cousteau, a former French naval officer turned oceanographer, filmmaker and conservationist. Having already brought global attention to remote reefs, ancient shipwrecks and ecologically vital marine habitats, Cousteau had become a household name, blending scientific discovery with visual storytelling in ways no one had done before. In 1971, Jacques Cousteau and his crew aboard the research vessel Calypso arrived in Belize to explore the Great Blue Hole — a massive, perfectly circular submarine sinkhole located in the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. This expedition was part of their renowned television series, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. Though geologists already understood its karstic origins to some degree, Cousteau's approach to exploration was different. He was there to show it to the world. He was so enthralled, in fact, that he subsequently ranked it among his top ten scuba diving sites in the world. Cousteau's expedition provided the first widely publicized visual evidence that the Great Blue Hole had once been a dry limestone cave — formed during the last Ice Age, when sea levels were lower. His team's footage of submerged stalactites supported existing geological theories, showing that the cave had collapsed and flooded as the oceans rose. In the years that followed, the Great Blue Hole became a popular dive site, attracting marine researchers, geologists and adventurers eager to explore its mysteries. While its striking vertical walls and massive submerged stalactites remained a major draw, divers also began documenting the varied marine life that inhabits the sinkhole, including Caribbean reef sharks, giant groupers and other deep-sea species that navigate its depths. However, a true, detailed mapping of the Great Blue Hole wouldn't happen until nearly five decades later, when advancements in sonar technology and submersibles allowed for a complete digital reconstruction of the sinkhole's interior. It wasn't until 2018 that Aquatica Submarines, in collaboration with Fabien Cousteau, Richard Branson and sub pilot Erika Bergman, used advanced sonar technology to create the first complete 3D digital model of its interior. The exploration encountered a thick hydrogen sulfide layer at 300 feet, blocking out oxygen and light, creating a dead zone where no marine life could survive. Below this, the water was completely anoxic, preserving everything that had fallen in — including plastic waste and dead conches, which had sunk to the bottom without decomposing due to the extreme conditions. The mapping also revealed a calcium carbonate layer at 290 feet, evidence that a thriving coral reef had once existed here before being submerged by rising seas. Additionally, divers observed sandfalls cascading down the sinkhole's walls, a process that suggests the Great Blue Hole is slowly filling in over time. The expedition was broadcast live on Discovery Channel. But while the technology had changed, the mission remained the same: to explore, document and inspire a new generation to understand and protect the ocean's wonders. While the 2018 expedition gave us the first complete map of the Great Blue Hole, scientists have since discovered that its greatest secret is what's buried at the bottom. A November 2020 study extracted a nearly 9-meter-long core of sediment from the Great Blue Hole's floor, revealing a 1,885-year-long record of climate change in the Caribbean. Each layer of sediment acts like a page in a history book, showing how sea temperatures, storm activity and even human influence have changed over time. The findings confirmed that sea temperatures have been rising for nearly 2,000 years, with long-term climate patterns like 'El Niño' and the 'Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation' playing a major role. The sediment also shows that hurricane activity peaked between 900 and 1300 CE — during what's known as the Medieval Warm Period — when storms became more intense and frequent, eroding coastlines and washing more material into the Blue Hole. But the most surprising discovery was evidence of modern human impact. The study found a sudden change in carbon composition after 1900, linked to the Industrial Revolution and the rise of fossil fuel emissions — a phenomenon known as the Suess Effect. This means that even this remote underwater sinkhole, first explored for its natural beauty, is now a record of human-caused climate change. Want to see where your own climate concerns fit in to this larger trend? Take the science-backed Climate Change Worry Scale now and find out how your perspective compares.
Forbes
28-03-2025
- Forbes
Scuba Diving In Cozumel: What You Need To Know
Hawksbill turtle and school of grunts over a coral reef in Cozumel, Mexico. Scuba divers always talk to each other about their favorite dive sites. Egypt? Maldives? French Polynesia? Yes, those destinations come up, but one of the fan favorites is closer to home: Cozumel. Even the world-famous Jacques Cousteau listed Cozumel as one of the top 10 dive spots in the world. In addition to its easy access to the U.S., Cozumel is popular for a number of reasons: warm water year-round; great visibility; and of course, the plethora of marine life. Eagle rays, turtles, nurse sharks, lobsters, groupers, stingrays and sergeant majors are just a few things you might be able to check off your list. Plus, it's the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and has dramatic walls, drop offs, overhangs, tunnels and wrecks. Cozumel is known for its marine life and colorful coral. Cozumel has a large number of repeat divers because there's so much to see depending on what time of year you dive. It's also good for both beginners and season divers because of the diversity of dive sites, abundance of colorful corals and sponges, and ample marine life. There's over 500 species of fish, 60 species of hard and soft coral, and plenty of mollusks, algae and seagrasses. Diving with the whale sharks is a big draw from June through September. There is no wrong time for diving in Cozumel. Water temperatures remain constant year-round (about 80 degrees), with a slight temperature drop in the winter months September-December. Diving in Cozumel is famous for easy drifts (it's considered the drift dive capital of the world) but currents can be strong during the seasonal transition - best suited to advanced divers. Divers choosing to plunge below the surface at this time are rewarded with more sharks and eagle rays. Sailfish can be seen December through March. A nurse shark in a colorful cave in Cozumel, Mexico. While there are plenty of scuba dive companies in Cozumel, it's important to pick a reputable place with a history of safe diving. Pro Dive International has been around for 20 years and is considered a PADI Five Star operation. They have four different dive centers in Cozumel and offer specialty dive options, including seeing the bull sharks, the whale sharks and sailfish during their respective months in the area. Scuba diving in Cozumel brings chance encounters with a variety of marine life. The Pro Dive pick-up spot at each dive center is a short boat ride to the actual dive site (under 15 minutes). This is ideal because in certain regions of the world you can be on the boat for over an hour getting to the dive site. Pro Dive has numerous instructors per boat, and many of them speak several languages, including English, Spanish, French, Russian, Italian and German. The dive masters are highly trained with advanced certification, which is what you want when you go scuba diving.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Forbes
Arksen 85 Is Built For The Ultimate Adventure
Arksen 85 is built to go anywhere Arksen When I was a little boy, one of my parents' friends asked me: 'What do you want to do when you grow up?' My answer? 'Go on adventures.' So simple. So pure. So honest. Luckily for me, that's exactly what happened. And the adventures continue in spite of the fact that the trips I take these days are lot more luxurious than the ones that informed and inspired my youth. As a result, I've been on every type of yacht ranging from the 40-footer we sailed from Newport, Rhode Island to Antigua, to exploring both the Arctic and the Antarctic onboard much bigger and more comfortable yachts. The Arisen 85 is custom built for adventure Arksen 85 In fact, I've been on pretty much ALL of the large 'adventure yachts' that have been built recently. But, I'm embarrassed to say, I've not covered the Arksen 85 (or any of the other products this innovative company builds), until now. So let's jump right in. First off, Arksen builds more than boats. In fact, the company's published mission statement explains it better than I could. 'Arksen was created to push the boundaries of adventure, delivering new opportunities for the next generation of explorers while simultaneously supporting ocean conservation. Our class-leading product range includes performance apparel, vessels and vehicles while our carefully curated experiences are designed for life's greatest journeys, from climbing Mount Everest to taking on the legendary Transat Ocean Race. The main deck of the Arisen 85 Arksen 'Inspired by the stories of great explorers from the past – Jacques Cousteau, Fridtjof Nansen, Thor Heyerdahl and Bill Tillman – we design for the curious, engineer for the extremes and build with a complete lack of compromise. Because it is in our most freewheeling, untethered and challenging moments that we feel most alive.' How's that for a mission statement? Sign me up! At first glance, all the products Arksen produce—full lines of fashionably rugged outwear, off-road-capable vehicles, and explorer yachts—may seem dissimilar. But, the opposite is actually the case. Each are designed and engineered to be the ultimate adventure tool. And that's certainly is the case with their Arksen 85 long-range explorer yacht. Arksen 85 underway Arksen Founder Jasper Smith developed Arksen's new breed of efficient, sustainable explorer yachts to be capable as well as comfortable. And since the company puts sustainability at the forefront of everything they stand for, the 85 is built with recycled material wherever possible and designed to operate with minimal environmental impact and maximum energy. As a result, the Arksen 85 is built of robust aluminum that will last for years. It will also be easy to maintain and repair. And it will be easy to recycle at the end of the vessel's long life too. The hull is also strong enough to operate safely in the ice-strewn waters of Greenland, or be able to dry out on a remote beach to do mid-voyage maintenance far from the nearest shipyard. Th Easter cabin on the Arksen 85 Arksen 85 Over three decks, the Arksen 85 offers a range of layouts. Each interior is designed to have uninterrupted sightlines that insure an intimate connection with the outdoors. The full-beam master suite can lie forward on the main deck, or aft on the lower deck with another three twin guest cabins plus optional crew cabins. According to the Arksen design team, 'Being able to escape the elements but still feel completely connected to the environment was a main consideration in the interior design and layout of the vessel.' The interior is also designed with the company's core values of functionality, beauty and sustainability to provide a calming, light, and airy ambience while using products that minimize damage to the environment where possible. Arksen also designs and makes adventure outerwear Arksen And since the Arksen 85 needs to provide comfort while having simple control of lighting and HVAC systems, entertainment controls, and safety features through comprehensive monitoring and alarm systems. Audio visual integrator ClearSphere deployed a Crestron control system and combined it with a range of third-party systems to create a complex and comprehensive integration for the luxury explorer yacht. the Arksen 85 is designed to go anywhere Arksen And if all that's not enough to ignite your unquenched thirst for adventure. Arksen also offers an innovative and inspired co-ownership program. It's designed to not only let members share ownership of an Arksen 85—Project Ocean—that's launching this summer. The community-first program also provides explorers with an opportunity to discover new places in new ways with exclusive access to curated, multi-year cruising itineraries around the globe. Simply put. When it comes to adventure, Arksen seems to have it all.
