Below the edge of darkness : a memoir of exploring light and life in the deep sea

Resource Information

The work Below the edge of darkness : a memoir of exploring light and life in the deep sea represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in City of Stirling Library Services. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Below the edge of darkness : a memoir of exploring light and life in the deep sea

Title remainder

a memoir of exploring light and life in the deep sea

Statement of responsibility

Edith Widder

Creator

• Widder, Edith

Author

• Widder, Edith

Subject

• Underwater exploration
• Widder, Edith
• Bioluminescence
• Women marine biologists -- United States -- Biography
• Marine scientists -- United States -- Biography

Genre

• Biography

Language

eng

Summary

An exhilarating underwater exploration for readers wanting to recapture their sense of wonder. Edith Widder grew up wanting to become a marine biologist. But after complications from surgery caused her to go temporarily blind while at university, she became fascinated by light and her focus turned to bioluminescence. On her first visit to the deep ocean, in an experimental diving suit that took her to a depth of 250 metres, she turned off the suit's lights and witnessed breathtaking explosions of bioluminescent activity. Why was there so much light down there? Below the Edge of Darkness takes readers deep into the mysteries of the oceans as Widder investigates one of nature's most widely used forms of communication. She reveals hidden worlds and a dazzling menagerie of creatures, from microbes to leviathans - many never before seen or, like the giant squid, never before filmed. Alongside Widder, we experience life-and-death equipment malfunctions, and breakthroughs in technology and understanding, set against a growing awareness of the deterioration of the world's largest and least understood ecosystem. This engaging memoir, imbued with optimism and a sense of wonder, is an adventure story as well as a science story. Edith Widder shows us how exploration is the key to conserving the oceans - and our future on this planet

Biography type

contains biographical information

Illustrations

• illustrations
• plates

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography

Target audience

adult