Photo: Deep-Diving Seals Are Cheap Labor for Antarctic Surveys

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


Sensor-equipped elephant seals (such as this male, above) are proving to be effective alternatives to satellites and survey ships for studying ice-covered oceans surrounding Antarctica, according to a study released in August 2008.

Researchers collected 30 times more data about sea ice than was possible using conventional methods.

Photograph by Dan Costa

MOST VIEWED NEWS

2012: Six End-of-the-World Myths Debunked

APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies

PICTURES: "Extraordinary" Ancient Skeletons Found
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.