Scientists have unveiled a staggering truth about the deep ocean: only 0.001% of its vast expanse has ever been explored by humans! This minuscule fraction represents an area roughly the size of Rhode Island, despite the deep ocean covering about two-thirds of our planet's surface.

A groundbreaking study published on May 7 in the journal Science Advances highlights this alarming fact. Ian Miller, the chief science and innovation officer at the National Geographic Society, emphasized, "So much of our ocean remains a mystery." While not a study author, Miller's organization aided in its funding.

The deep sea, characterized by crushing pressures and frigid temperatures, is teeming with bizarre and elusive creatures. It's a crucial player in global carbon storage and likely hosts countless unknown species, some of which could hold significant medical or scientific value.

Currently, our understanding of the seafloor primarily comes from advanced imaging techniques using manned submersibles, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and tethered cameras.

In their research, scientists analyzed a whopping 43,681 records of deep-sea dives involving optical imaging. They implemented two distinct methods to ascertain the human-explored proportion of the deep seafloor. The first estimated that a mere 822 square miles (2,129 square kilometers) were visually mapped by following the paths taken by exploration vehicles. Alternatively, the time-based method suggested coverage of up to 1,476 square miles (3,823 square kilometers).

Alarmingly, researchers concluded that since 1958, our explorations have only scratched the surface, accounting for between 0.0006% and 0.001% of the deep ocean.

Many potential observations remain hidden; oil, gas, and telecommunication companies may have explored far beyond these public records, keeping their findings under wraps.

As climate change and potential resource exploitation race towards the deep ocean, this lack of exploration presents a dire challenge for science and policy decisions. Study lead author Katy Croff Bell stated, "A much better understanding of the deep ocean's ecosystems and processes is necessary to make informed management and conservation choices."

Interestingly, the study revealed that 65% of explored areas are located within 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from the coasts of the U.S., Japan, or New Zealand, with 97% of recorded dives coming from just five countries: the U.S., Japan, New Zealand, France, and Germany.

The exploration bias is glaring; features like ridges and canyons have been prioritized over vast abyssal plains and seamounts. The authors poignantly noted, "If we based all assessments of land ecosystems on just 0.001% of Earth's land area, it would be like judging a continent from an area smaller than Houston."

To truly safeguard and understand this enigmatic environment, the researchers are calling for a global initiative to explore a wider range of ocean features.

Miller asserts, "Deep-sea exploration led by scientists and local communities is essential for grasping the planet's largest ecosystem. Better understanding of our ocean translates to better conservation efforts."