SHINKAI 6500 is a manned submersible that can dive up to the depth of 6,500m, outperforming other manned research vehicles all over the world today. In 1990, SHINKAI 6500 was commissioned to study topography and geology of the seafloor as well as organisms in the deep sea at Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean in addition to Japan Sea., and exceeded the 1000th dive in 2007.
JAMSTEC was reorganized on 1 April 2004 with the main objective to promote marine scientific research and related technology, and to contribute to the advancement of academic research with engagement in fundamental research and development concerning ocean, and in cooperative activities on academic research related to the Ocean, for the benefit of peace and human welfares.
JAMSTEC considers the Earth as a unique system which is largely influenced by the Ocean and is involved in a wide scope of fundamental research to improve our knowledge on global environmental change through observational research, prediction research, and related technological development. At the same time, JAMSTEC aims to contribute to the sustainable advancement of the human community and to endeavor to ensure its peace and security, socio-economic development, and the improvement and expansion of knowledge enabling the scientific research results and other outcomes of the Agency's activities available to the public and further speeded knowledge and cognizance.
Collaborator Contributions
The Chikyu, a Japanese research ship operated by JAMSTEC, drills deep beneath the ocean floor to find clues about Earth’s history and structure. Take a look inside and see how scientists use this unique vessel to better understand our planet’s past—and future.
The ROV Hyper Dolphin caught this deep-sea jelly (Atolla wyvillei) on film east of Izu-Oshina Island, Japan. When attacked, it uses bioluminescence to "scream" for help—an amazing light show known as a burglar alarm display. Visit the Encyclopedia of Life to learn more about these wild jellies.
Zombie worms (Osedax roseus) eat away at the bones of a dead whale that has fallen to the seafloor in Sagami Bay, Japan. These bizarre worms rely on whale bones for energy and are what scientists call “sexually dimorphic”—the male and female forms are markedly different. In this case, the males are dwarfs that live on the trunks of the female worms.
This Japanese research ship drills into the ocean floor to learn about Earth’s history and structure, and the mechanism of earthquakes in particular. Completed in 2005, it is the first scientific research ship that can drill up to 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) below the ocean floor to obtain sediments from Earth’s interior. It can drill into earthquake zones. One day it may drill all the way to Earth’s mantle. More about deep ocean exploration can be found in our Deep Ocean Exploration featured story.
Climb aboard the scientific ocean drilling vessel Chikyu for a tour of this state-of-the-art research ship.
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
