In writing a summary of the news article, the most important point to include would be: Scientists hope to use the pictures to create a 3-D map. This statement encapsulates the main focus of the 2010 study and highlights the significance of the work being done, which is to preserve history and provide new insights into the Titanic wreck.
Titanic in 3-D
Earth and Space Science Studies: Engineering Design
In August 2010, a team of scientists began a study of the Titanic. The ocean liner had been called "unsinkable." It sank on its first voyage, however. It sank in the North Atlantic Ocean. This happened nearly 100 years ago. The information gathered from the underwater study will help scientists. It will allow them to examine the condition of the ship's remains. The information will also help them to create a detailed three-dimensional (3-D) map of the world's most famous shipwreck.
The study was said to be the most scientific examination of the Titanic ever. The wreck was discovered in 1985. It was found by ocean scientist Robert Ballard. It was nearly 2.5 miles (4km) beneath the surface of the North Atlantic. In making his discovery, Ballard solved a mystery that had captured the world's interest since April 15, 1912. That's when the Titanic struck ice and sank. It took 1,522 passengers with it. No one knew exactly where the ship was located until Ballard's discovery.
Since the discovery of the wreck, many scientists have explored the Titanic. Most wanted to take photographs. Others hoped to gather artifacts. They hoped to find fine china, shoes, and ship fittings.
The company RMS Titanic has rights to any material from the wreck. RMS made a trip to the shipwreck in 2004.
"We believe there's still a number of really exciting mysteries to be discovered at the wreck," said Chris Davino. Davino is president of RMS Titanic. The company helped with the August 2010 study. Davino believes that huge parts of the wreck have not been fully studied.
Unlike past trips, scientists working on the 2010 study didn't set out to collect more artifacts. On August 18, 2010, a team of scientists set sail from Newfoundland, Canada. The team explored the field near the Titanic. They sought a full account of the ship's artifacts. They used state-of-the-art video technology. They also used state-of-the-art sonar.
David Gallo served as one of the study's leaders. He said that the team is studying the wreck with two things in mind. "One is to preserve the [history] of the ship," said Gallo. "The second part is to really understand what the state of the ship is."
Scientists wanted to examine the condition of the two main parts of the ship. The wreck has been weakened by fierce deep-ocean currents. It had also been weakened by salt water. It is possible that the ship is being damaged by its environment. Thus, the scientists were in a hurry to begin their study.
"We see places where it looks like the upper decks are getting thin," Gallo said.
The study didn't go exactly as planned, however. The trip was cut short on August 29, 2010. This was because of bad weather conditions caused by Hurricane Danielle. The work started again, but another possible hurricane forced the study's leaders to end the trip in mid-September.
The team was disappointed that the weather cut the study short. However, the scientists were able to take detailed pictures of the shipwreck. They also captured videos. The team is now working to match the pictures with underwater sounds collected from the sonar. They want to create a detailed 3-D map. This will allow the public to explore the Titanic online.
Gallo and his fellow scientists hope the maps will help preserve the history of the Titanic. They also hope the maps will create new interest in scientific studies of the famous shipwreck.
"This is the just the beginning," Gallo said.
Information for this story came from AP.
Question 8
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Suppose you were writing a summary of the news article. Which would be most important to include in the summary?
Chris Davino is president of RMS Titanic.
RMS Titanic made a trip to the shipwreck in 2004.
Scientists hope to use the pictures to create a 3-D map.
David Gallo served as one of the study's leaders.
1 answer
1 answer