ESOF 2006

InterRidge had a strong presence at the EuroScience Open Forum that took place in Munich, Germany in July 2006. We held both a scientific session ("The Latest Ocean Ridge Research: Microbes, Mining, Management and More") and an outreach session (“Deep Sea AdVENTures – without getting your feet wet!”), which was run in conjunction with Germany's national science week. The IR Outreach proposal was one of 30 to be accepted from around the world -- and has been held as an example of 'best practices in international outreach'! In addition, IR hosted a showing of the “Volcanoes of the Deep Sea” IMAX film, including a Q&A session afterwards. This comprehensive media and public outreach event was so successful that we were invited to submit a session proposal for ESOF 2008, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain. Stay tuned!

ESOF brings together all groups involved in the scientific endeavor. This includes researchers from different disciplines, policy-makers, representatives of industrial R&D, science journalists and the general public. It fosters debate about science and society, presents science and the humanities at the cutting edge and stimulates scientific awareness. The Euroscience Open Forum was brought to life by Euroscience, a grass-roots scientific organization founded in 1997 with over 2,000 members in 40 countries. The Munich event was the second ever held.

The OUTREACH ACTIVITY synopsis (scientists were on hand to interact with public, answer questions, etc.):

Deep Sea AdVENTures (without getting your feet wet!)
Most of the ocean ridge - 60,000 kilometers of deep sea mountain range that form Earth's largest physical feature - remains unexplored. Scientists know more about outer space than they do about the "inner space" of the deep ocean. It's a wet and wild world packed with mystery. Earth's crust is born in this sunless place, the site of black smokers - chimney-like volcanic structures - billowing a mineral-laden brew almost four times as hot as boiling water. In and around many ridge spots are gutless, buttless, bloody tubeworms stretching high like giant lipsticks; wrinkly-looking eelpout fishes slithering sluggishly amongst the worms in search of food; and shrimp swarming like bees around a hive. What's more, this scientific frontier could hold answers to questions about the origin of life on Earth and the possibility of life on other planets - not to mention discoveries that could improve the ways we clean up the environment, advance medicine and improve industry. How do scientists get to this place, and how do they work together in teams to understand the complex ecosystem? What do they hope to learn? The proposed exhibit will feature real vent samples, including one from a site called "Lost City"; a ½ hour educational video called "Voyage into the Abyss"; an interactive website; a powerpoint show; an aquarium model with toy remote control subs to show how scientists study the ocean floor; and 1-2 of the world's best ridge scientists on hand. (This session compliments the scientific session by InterRidge)
The SCIENCE SESSION synopsis (2.5-hour symposium with speakers, Q&A, etc.):

The Latest Ocean Ridge Research: Microbes, Mining, Management, and More
Few people realize it, but everyone's life depends upon the ocean. The ocean's many problems - from declining fisheries to coastal degradation - contrast with its cache of untapped resources: Here lies the future of mineral exploration, sources of alternative energy, and potential cures for diseases. A responsible, science-literate society would be one in which people better understood the tight link between the ocean and humanity, including how Earth works as an integrated system - a point tragically underscored in the recent tsunami event. Knowledge of how the Earth works starts with understanding its largest seafloor feature: 40,000 miles of ocean ridge that wind through the ocean basins like a giant curvy backbone, giving rise to Earth's crust. Albeit the largest geologic feature on Earth, most people have never even heard of the ocean ridge. That needs to change. New discoveries are made on almost every dive to the deep. Thanks to observatory initiatives to literally hard-wire Earth's tectonic plates, we will be on the deep ocean scene in around the clock, CNN fashion. A relatively young science, ridge science is on the cusp of a growth spurt; it is just now intersecting with policy issues such as protected areas and mining that require public understanding so that informed decisions are made. A dark place most will never see in person, the role of the seafloor in the origin of life, the future of life, and the functioning of Earth must be understood if we are to manage it responsibly.

ESOF 2006