Visitor can enjoy a stunning Coral Reef virtual dive starting March th and exploring the most beautiful reefs around the globe without needing to cross the country or get wet. This virtual dive is called “Coral Reefs: Secret Cities of the Sea” and features a series of screens that provide an 360 immersive experience. It makes you feel like you’re actually there in the Great Barrier Reef off the Australian coast. It is somewhat like an underwater “Google Street View” experience, according to the Museum. You can experience the best coral reefs around the globe, but without getting wet. Photo: Natural History Museum. It will include more 200 exhibits, such as the blue-ringed Octopus and the Turbinaria Coral. This exhibition features sound effects and lighting effects to create the feeling of being underwater, as well as hexagonal ornaments that mimic the growth of coral, and a virtual reef diving experience. Catlin Seaview Survey photos Thanks to the new technology, and many images from the Catlin Seaview Survey users can zoom in on several reefs around the world. Catlin Seaview Survey sponsored by Catlin Group, an insurer and reinsurance firm, is a large scientific expedition that documents the health and composition of coral reefs around the world. The Museum has included many of the Survey’s photos in its virtual dive. These include Heron Island, Bermuda’s Hourglass Reef and the Tubbataha Reef in Philippines. Our Coral Reefs are responsible for 25% of all marine species. The Catlin Seaview divers captured images in a matter of minutes using state-of the-art cameras. To create a panorama view, these pictures were placed side by side. Coral reefs are essential for people Dr Ken Johnson of the Natural History Museum said that coral reefs were more than beautiful places. Many millions depend on coral reefs for their protection from storms, food and income. Felicity Paynter is responsible for creating the exhibit. She said she needed to speak to experts at first and conduct research because corals were not in her area of expertise. Felicity is also a geographer. Ms. Paynter stated that she had to consider not only what she wanted, but what visitors might want. Visitors might know what they already know. We might also be able answer their questions. There are many fascinating and unusual creatures living on coral reefs. But there are also some very difficult concepts. “It was about working closely with curators to determine which specimens best illustrated those stories. Then, I worked with the designers on creating an experience for visitors. This included figuring out the best places in the exhibit’s narrative where they would feel amazed, surprised and emotionally. Catlin Seaview Survey 2012 is an ambitious scientific endeavor that has since documented coral reef health worldwide. “Previously Catlin sponsored Catlin Arctic Survey which was a three year project that examined changes in Arctic’s fragile environment including sea-ice melting.” Coral Reefs are often referred to by the term “rainforests” of the sea. They form one of the most diverse ocean ecosystems. Coral Reefs make up 0.1% of oceans. However, they are home to about 25% of all marine species, such as crustaeans and tunicates. Although coral reefs can be found in warm oceans of the tropics they also thrive in colder waters. Experts believe that ecotourism has been detrimental to coral reef health. Coral Reefs, particularly those that are exposed to extreme temperatures and environmental change, can be extremely vulnerable. Climate change is threatening their survival. The oceans are becoming acidic and more people live in coastal areas. A number of studies have shown that about 10% the coral reefs around the globe are dead and another 60% face imminent death from human-caused destruction. Experts estimate that 95% reefs in Southeast Asia could be at high risk. Experts estimate that about 90% percent of reefs around the world will be affected by climate change or human activity. According to US media reports, the current expansion of Port of Miami has caused lasting damage to coral reefs nearby. Supervising the excavation, the Army Corps of Engineers assured the public, local officials, and environmentalists that there would be no harm to corals. Rachel Siverstein is the Executive Director of Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper. She filed a lawsuit against Army Corps of Engineers. The fact that both the Corps and contractors didn’t follow the guidelines when they began this project is what caused the damage. National Geographic Video – Coral Reefs
