Social media users are simultaneously horrified and fascinated after a group of scientists made an 'unthinkable' discovery beneath the waves.
For those who may have reservations about diving into the ocean's depths, especially if sharks aren't exactly your cup of tea, this story might just reinforce those hesitations.
In July 2019, a collaborative expedition by OceanX, the Moore Charitable Foundation, and the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vibrant Oceans Initiative led a scientific team to the waters around the Bahamas.
The researchers detailed their unique undertaking in a Reddit post on the thread r/IAmA: "[We] strapped a three-person submersible with a hundred pounds of bait, took it 500 meters below the surface, and waited in the dark for a giant deep sea shark."
The post piqued curiosity about their daring mission and the specific type of shark they aimed to encounter in the ocean's abyss.
The object of their quest was the bluntnose sixgill shark, described by OceanX in a YouTube video as "a predator older than the dinosaurs and bigger on average than the great white," as well as "a dominant predator of the deep sea ecosystem."
The team's mission was to attach a satellite tag to this ancient behemoth, take its measurements, and release it, all in an effort to deepen our understanding of these creatures, manage marine resources, and ensure their protection - though this particular shark seems like it might not need much protecting.
The team's ambitious goal to engage closely with the shark was fully realized, capturing the entire encounter on video - a truly hair-raising experience for viewers.
The OceanX video captures the awe-inspiring moment when the massive shark approaches the submarine, revealing its size to be 'wider than the sub.'
The shark, identified as a "very large female," showcases the sheer scale of these creatures in their natural habitat.
This colossal shark not only rivals but seemingly dwarfs the infamous Jaws, demonstrating its dominance by 'pushing' and 'bumping' against the submarine.
Another angle provided in a separate video brings viewers even closer to the giant predator's interaction with the submarine.
For those eager for more, OceanX has even released an extended version of the encounter.
The footage has sparked a wave of reactions in the comment section.
One YouTube user remarked: "Scientists, "Whoa." That's when you know it's serious."
Another shared their awe: "I got chills when the shark opened its eyes, never seen anything like that!"
A viewer expressed their fear: "If not the size, this shark's eye alone would have given me a straight heart attack."
Yet another commenter reflected on the beauty of these creatures:
"I am scared of deep ocean, but this does not stop me to think that sharks are absolutely magnificent sea creatures!"
"They should be respected at all times!"
