112 years ago, the Titanic, with nearly 1,500 people on board, hit an iceberg and sank in the Atlantic Ocean, causing one of the greatest maritime disasters of all time. Since then, its wreck, divided into two main sections (the bow and the stern, in other words the front and back of the ship), has been resting quietly at 3,821 meters under the sea. However, this may not last according to the BBC.
Already in 2022, the wreck was showing alarming signs of deterioration: the famous balustrade was collapsing and rust was beginning to completely cover the liner. Indeed, the depths of the Atlantic Ocean represent many dangers for the most famous ship in the world, already badly damaged.
Invisible threats but no less dangerous
The first threat is pressure. At this depth, it is up to 390 times higher than at the surface, creating an environment so hostile that few sea creatures can survive. As a reminder, when the Titanic broke in two, the bow imploded under the crushing pressure, releasing passengers’ personal belongings, such as bottles of champagne.
Another obstacle to the longevity of the ship: water currents, whose effects can be surprisingly strong. Part of the Titanic wreck is located near a section of the seabed affected by a cold water current flowing south, which could accelerate the deterioration of the wreck’s remains in the long term.
Finally, one of the wreck’s most ferocious enemies should not be overlooked: bacteria. Although oxidation is a natural reaction to water, it is not simply this reaction that causes rust, but a layer of bacterial biofilm—in other words, a biological structure that allows bacteria to thrive and enjoy the wreck’s iron.
One last feast at…
- Slate.fr
