Whale Fall: The Life-Giving Afterlife of a Leviathan
The world's largest mammal sinks to the sea bottom, and life erupts.
October 14, 2011
Very few of us will have the opportunity to visit the ocean floor and monitor the decomposition of a whale carcass. In fact, until viewing Sharon Shattuck's sweet and realistic animation of life recycling to life 20,000 leagues under the sea, very few of us would have ever desired to witness this underwater spectacle of fertile decay.
A fallen whale will support a wide array of essential lifeforms for 50 to 75 years after its death. The world's largest animal is, naturally, all about giving back.
Thanks to Boing Boing for the tip.
Top 10 Scuba Diving Destinations
GALLERY: Top 10 Scuba Diving Destinations
The most stunning places to visit under the sea.
Videos in Our Favorites
-
Don’t believe that the U.S. only has money for war and oil subsidies. -
The world's largest mammal sinks to the sea bottom, and life erupts. -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Comments