Science: Deepest

Having broken a winch while sounding the Caribbean and adjacent Atlantic, Eldridge Reeves Johnson's yacht Caroline put into San Juan, P. R. last week. Immediately Dr. Paul Bartsch, Smithsonian naturalist, sped ashore to report the discovery of the greatest known crack in earth, a deep of 44,000 ft. (8.33 mi.) just north of Puerto Rico. Also off Puerto Rico is the Nares Deep (27,972 ft., or 5.30 mi.), greatest previously known hole in the Atlantic.* Both deeps lie in a lively seismic zone, indicate how the earth's crust warps and cracks.

A new volcanic...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!