National Geographic: Dive to the Edge of Creation (1979)

In 1977, a geological expedition discovered exotic forms of sea life a mile and a half beneath the surface of the ocean, where no sunlight penetrates. In 1979, a team of scientists headed by geologist Dr. Robert Ballard, and biologist Dr. J. Frederick Grassle, set out on Lulu, mother ship of the submersible Alvin, and research vessel Gilliss to relocate and explore these warm vents, and hopefully find new ones. This Special follows the multi-million dollar deep-diving expedition more than 200 miles northeast of the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Rifty is a chain of underwater mountains extending 40,000 miles through the oceans. At places along the ridge, the earth's crust is constantly pulling apart. Volcanic activity creates fissures in the ocean floor, thus creating the warm water vents. "The animals are living in a precarious setting," Ballard says. "The vents can shut off, molten lava can cover them - and they'll all die", Yet somehow these species have been able to survive thousands, perhaps millions of years. Written and Produced by James Lipscomb Directed by James Lipscomb and Alfred Giddings Narrated by Leslie Nielsen 1979 National Geographic Society 1988 Stylus Video VHS SV1026