Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:02,802 --> 00:00:12,011
� dona nobis pacem �
2
00:00:29,896 --> 00:00:33,432
Narrator: our universe seems
a barren place,
3
00:00:33,433 --> 00:00:40,239
Full of extreme conditions,
hostile to living things.
4
00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:45,044
Our own planet has
such extreme environments,
5
00:00:45,045 --> 00:00:47,312
Places where, until recently,
6
00:00:47,313 --> 00:00:50,382
We believed nothing
could survive.
7
00:00:50,383 --> 00:00:53,819
[ choir vocalizing ]
8
00:00:53,820 --> 00:00:56,088
[ wind whistling ]
9
00:01:09,102 --> 00:01:15,240
Yet life is tenacious
if it can just get a foothold.
10
00:01:15,241 --> 00:01:18,377
We call the tiny organisms
11
00:01:18,378 --> 00:01:22,781
Living in such inhospitable
places "extremophiles,"
12
00:01:22,782 --> 00:01:27,186
Microbes which thrive
in the harshest of conditions.
13
00:01:30,290 --> 00:01:35,227
Caves, long dismissed
as dark and lifeless deserts,
14
00:01:35,228 --> 00:01:40,132
Turn out to be ideal homes
for these hardy life-forms.
15
00:01:40,133 --> 00:01:43,335
Their scientific potential
appears vast.
16
00:01:43,336 --> 00:01:49,241
� dona nobis pacem �
17
00:01:49,242 --> 00:01:53,212
This underground frontier holds
an irresistible attraction
18
00:01:53,213 --> 00:01:56,215
For two courageous young women.
19
00:01:56,216 --> 00:01:59,151
[ choir vocalizing ]
20
00:02:17,237 --> 00:02:21,907
The arizona desert --
bone-dry and scorching hot.
21
00:02:21,908 --> 00:02:24,777
Perfect for extremophiles.
22
00:03:02,148 --> 00:03:06,418
Nancy aulenbach and hazel barton
are part of a small team
23
00:03:06,419 --> 00:03:10,656
Exploring unmapped caves
near the grand canyon.
24
00:03:10,657 --> 00:03:15,027
The rest of the team,
gordon brown and scott davis,
25
00:03:15,028 --> 00:03:17,329
Search for other caves.
26
00:03:28,742 --> 00:03:32,978
Hazel and nancy
are almost certainly
27
00:03:32,979 --> 00:03:36,615
The first cavers
to explore this cave.
28
00:03:36,616 --> 00:03:41,653
To get here, they rappelled
300 feet in 112-degree heat.
29
00:03:44,424 --> 00:03:45,758
Ooh!
30
00:03:45,759 --> 00:03:47,493
Listen, I'm gonna throw you
this rope.
31
00:03:47,494 --> 00:03:48,894
It'll help
pull you in, okay?
32
00:03:48,895 --> 00:03:50,229
You ready?
Mm-hmm.
33
00:03:50,230 --> 00:03:51,864
Oh!
34
00:03:51,865 --> 00:03:53,932
Nancy aulenbach, from georgia,
35
00:03:53,933 --> 00:03:56,101
Is the team's
technical specialist.
36
00:03:56,102 --> 00:03:58,237
I'm gonna let go
of the belay line.
37
00:03:58,238 --> 00:04:00,773
As an instructor
in cave-rescue techniques,
38
00:04:00,774 --> 00:04:03,442
Nancy's rope skills
are finely honed.
39
00:04:03,443 --> 00:04:04,576
You got it?
Yeah.
40
00:04:04,577 --> 00:04:07,112
At 98 1/2 pounds,
she is well-suited
41
00:04:07,113 --> 00:04:11,450
For rescuing cavers stuck
in very tight places.
42
00:04:17,624 --> 00:04:21,260
Aulenbach: in unexplored caves,
we always do surveys.
43
00:04:21,261 --> 00:04:24,363
Later,
my husband will use our data
44
00:04:24,364 --> 00:04:27,032
To draw the very first map
of this cave.
45
00:04:27,033 --> 00:04:28,701
He's a caver.
46
00:04:28,702 --> 00:04:31,570
In fact, I come
from an entire family of cavers.
47
00:04:31,571 --> 00:04:33,772
28.4 feet.
48
00:04:33,773 --> 00:04:36,608
Narrator: hazel barton,
a native of England,
49
00:04:36,609 --> 00:04:39,278
Has a phd in microbiology.
50
00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:42,614
Okay, I'm getting positive
60 degrees, right?
51
00:04:42,615 --> 00:04:46,952
Aulenbach: I found crystals,
which only form in still water.
52
00:04:46,953 --> 00:04:50,289
This cave probably formed
millions of years ago.
53
00:04:50,290 --> 00:04:53,792
Narrator: while nancy studies
the cave wall
54
00:04:53,793 --> 00:04:55,627
With a magnifying glass,
55
00:04:55,628 --> 00:04:58,630
Hazel collects samples
of tiny organisms
56
00:04:58,631 --> 00:05:01,567
Which could help cure
serious diseases.
57
00:05:01,568 --> 00:05:04,470
Barton: you're never sure
what speck of dust
58
00:05:04,471 --> 00:05:07,239
Might contain the secret
to new medicine
59
00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:09,541
That could save lives.
60
00:05:31,664 --> 00:05:33,399
Aulenbach:
often, the most dangerous part
61
00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:36,068
Of exploring caves
is just getting to them.
62
00:05:36,069 --> 00:05:39,071
Gordon will vouch for that.
63
00:05:48,882 --> 00:05:51,650
[ choir vocalizing ]
64
00:06:19,446 --> 00:06:24,183
Aulenbach: what turns this river
so blue is dissolved limestone.
65
00:06:26,453 --> 00:06:29,288
The limestone is
gradually redeposited
66
00:06:29,289 --> 00:06:30,889
To form travertine dams,
67
00:06:30,890 --> 00:06:35,527
Which are first cousin to
the stalagmites we see in caves.
68
00:06:40,367 --> 00:06:41,834
Hey.
Hey.
69
00:06:41,835 --> 00:06:43,635
How's it going?
Great.
70
00:06:43,636 --> 00:06:46,271
You guys get up there?
Oh, yeah.
71
00:06:46,272 --> 00:06:48,874
Aulenbach: all this blue water
and travertine
72
00:06:48,875 --> 00:06:52,878
Is visible proof that caves are
forming upstream right now.
73
00:06:57,751 --> 00:07:01,020
I got time off from my job
as a teacher's assistant
74
00:07:01,021 --> 00:07:03,389
Because I promised
to e-mail field reports
75
00:07:03,390 --> 00:07:05,758
Back to my second-grade
students.
76
00:07:05,759 --> 00:07:11,764
Here's how hazel described her
research to my second-graders.
77
00:07:11,765 --> 00:07:15,501
Barton: the tiny organisms,
called microbes, live in caves,
78
00:07:15,502 --> 00:07:17,336
Might contain special chemicals
79
00:07:17,337 --> 00:07:20,005
That we could make
medicine from.
80
00:07:20,006 --> 00:07:22,174
You know, caves are not only
a place to visit,
81
00:07:22,175 --> 00:07:25,177
They're a place where you can do
a lot of research.
82
00:07:25,178 --> 00:07:28,013
You can survey, you can do
biological inventories,
83
00:07:28,014 --> 00:07:31,750
You can find new species that
people have never seen before.
84
00:07:31,751 --> 00:07:36,789
Barton: I look for medical use
for organisms everywhere,
85
00:07:36,790 --> 00:07:38,891
Even in scum ponds.
86
00:07:38,892 --> 00:07:42,394
After all, a rather useful
medicine called penicillin
87
00:07:42,395 --> 00:07:45,831
Was found in the same mold
that grows on rotten cheese.
88
00:07:45,832 --> 00:07:47,866
Oh, you know,
it's just more boogers,
89
00:07:47,867 --> 00:07:50,135
The smellier the better.
90
00:07:50,136 --> 00:07:55,240
Girl: � I know
you're out there somewhere �
91
00:07:55,241 --> 00:07:57,543
Barton:
while we were on navajo land,
92
00:07:57,544 --> 00:07:59,745
Nancy and I heard
about a medicine man
93
00:07:59,746 --> 00:08:01,814
Making a sand painting.
94
00:08:01,815 --> 00:08:04,683
Through these sand paintings,
the navajo believe
95
00:08:04,684 --> 00:08:08,287
That they can tap into
the healing powers of the earth.
96
00:08:08,288 --> 00:08:10,289
But, of course,
that's what I do, too --
97
00:08:10,290 --> 00:08:14,193
I go deep into the earth
in search of unknown cures.
98
00:08:14,194 --> 00:08:17,596
[ "I know you're out there
somewhere" plays ]
99
00:08:17,597 --> 00:08:20,299
[ laughter ]
100
00:08:20,300 --> 00:08:22,468
Aulenbach: we're using kayaks
on this expedition
101
00:08:22,469 --> 00:08:24,636
Because the river is
a good vantage point
102
00:08:24,637 --> 00:08:28,040
For spotting unexplored caves
on the cliff walls.
103
00:08:28,041 --> 00:08:29,942
As my husband, brent, says,
104
00:08:29,943 --> 00:08:32,411
"if you aren't wet,
you aren't caving."
105
00:08:32,412 --> 00:08:35,147
� 1, 2, 3! �
106
00:08:35,148 --> 00:08:37,816
[ moody blues' "ride my see-saw"
plays ]
107
00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:43,756
� ride, ride my see-saw �
108
00:08:43,757 --> 00:08:45,591
� take this place �
109
00:08:45,592 --> 00:08:49,028
� on this trip, just for me �
110
00:08:50,730 --> 00:08:53,799
� ride, take a free ride �
111
00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,567
� take my place �
112
00:08:55,568 --> 00:08:59,204
� have my seat, it's for free �
113
00:09:01,107 --> 00:09:03,375
� I worked like a slave
for years �
114
00:09:03,376 --> 00:09:06,679
� sweat so hard
just to end my fears �
115
00:09:06,680 --> 00:09:09,248
� not to end my life
a poor man �
116
00:09:09,249 --> 00:09:14,720
� but by now,
I know I should have run �
117
00:09:14,721 --> 00:09:15,954
� whoo-ooh �
118
00:09:20,493 --> 00:09:23,095
[ all cheering ]
119
00:09:32,005 --> 00:09:37,142
� ride my see-saw �
120
00:09:38,778 --> 00:09:41,613
Narrator: some rivers run
through caves for miles
121
00:09:41,614 --> 00:09:44,216
Before bursting
onto the surface,
122
00:09:44,217 --> 00:09:47,252
But that's of little concern
as you approach a precipice,
123
00:09:47,253 --> 00:09:50,222
Wondering,
"is this a good idea?"
124
00:09:58,231 --> 00:10:02,334
Unlike canyons, which are carved
by fast-moving rivers,
125
00:10:02,335 --> 00:10:06,705
Caves are formed by a subtler
but equally effective force.
126
00:10:06,706 --> 00:10:09,808
Most limestone caves start
127
00:10:09,809 --> 00:10:14,179
When groundwater picks up carbon
dioxide in the air and soil.
128
00:10:14,180 --> 00:10:18,283
As the mildly acidic water
leaks through cracks
129
00:10:18,284 --> 00:10:19,852
In the earth's crust,
130
00:10:19,853 --> 00:10:22,087
It dissolves
the surrounding rock,
131
00:10:22,088 --> 00:10:25,257
Leaving pockets, caves.
132
00:10:25,258 --> 00:10:29,028
That's how a chamber
300 feet high
133
00:10:29,029 --> 00:10:33,632
Can be carved from solid stone
in less than a million years.
134
00:10:33,633 --> 00:10:36,602
[ choir vocalizing ]
135
00:10:47,247 --> 00:10:48,681
Aulenbach:
walls are decorated
136
00:10:48,682 --> 00:10:51,517
When trickling water
deposits dissolved stone
137
00:10:51,518 --> 00:10:53,986
To form stalactites,
stalagmites,
138
00:10:53,987 --> 00:10:56,822
And other flowstone formations.
139
00:10:56,823 --> 00:11:01,493
Since the purest water on earth
is found deep in pristine caves,
140
00:11:01,494 --> 00:11:03,662
Sometimes we use rafts
to explore,
141
00:11:03,663 --> 00:11:06,965
Which cause less contamination
than swimming.
142
00:11:10,870 --> 00:11:14,273
Cave decorations are as delicate
as fine crystal,
143
00:11:14,274 --> 00:11:17,743
Easily shattered
and impossible to repair.
144
00:11:17,744 --> 00:11:19,978
That's why good cavers
are trained
145
00:11:19,979 --> 00:11:22,548
To move gently underground.
146
00:11:25,852 --> 00:11:28,654
Barton: nancy,
I've still got you on belay.
147
00:11:31,891 --> 00:11:34,760
Narrator: when water leaves
a residue of minerals,
148
00:11:34,761 --> 00:11:37,696
They crystallize
and gradually build up
149
00:11:37,697 --> 00:11:41,467
To become delicate
cave formations.
150
00:11:45,705 --> 00:11:49,041
As hazel and her colleagues
in the lab have found,
151
00:11:49,042 --> 00:11:51,577
Extremophiles are tough.
152
00:11:51,578 --> 00:11:54,313
Barton:
we suspect that
153
00:11:54,314 --> 00:11:56,482
Because of the environment
in which they live,
154
00:11:56,483 --> 00:12:00,719
Extremophiles produce
potent chemical weapons.
155
00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:03,856
If we can isolate
these chemical compounds,
156
00:12:03,857 --> 00:12:06,892
We can use them
in the fight against disease.
157
00:12:10,296 --> 00:12:13,499
Narrator: only the hardiest
extremophiles could survive
158
00:12:13,500 --> 00:12:15,868
Deep in the ice
of the north pole.
159
00:12:15,869 --> 00:12:18,904
To collect them,
hazel and nancy have joined
160
00:12:18,905 --> 00:12:22,007
An arctic expedition
to greenland.
161
00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,549
Greenland's ice cap is massive.
162
00:12:30,550 --> 00:12:34,853
If melted, it would raise
the world's oceans 18 feet.
163
00:12:34,854 --> 00:12:37,022
[ shouting indistinctly ]
164
00:12:37,023 --> 00:12:40,359
Aulenbach:
when I first saw camp and saw
these little, tiny specks
165
00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:43,862
Out in the middle of nowhere,
you know, I started thinking,
166
00:12:43,863 --> 00:12:47,966
"we're gonna be here
for a while."
167
00:12:47,967 --> 00:12:52,771
Narrator: the expedition is led
by frenchman janot lamberton.
168
00:12:52,772 --> 00:12:57,643
Janot has gone deeper into ice
caves than anyone else alive.
169
00:13:13,860 --> 00:13:18,230
In summer, melting ice creates
raging rivers,
170
00:13:18,231 --> 00:13:23,335
Which plunge into the caves,
cutting them deeper and deeper.
171
00:13:23,336 --> 00:13:26,205
Aulenbach: heat from the sun
can weaken the ice.
172
00:13:26,206 --> 00:13:30,009
These jumbled blocks
were once the roof of a cave,
173
00:13:30,010 --> 00:13:34,847
Just like the one
we're about to venture into.
174
00:13:34,848 --> 00:13:36,582
We started early
175
00:13:36,583 --> 00:13:39,918
So we wouldn't be inside
when the roof collapsed.
176
00:13:39,919 --> 00:13:42,021
Okay.
177
00:13:44,824 --> 00:13:47,793
[ lamberton shouting
indistinctly ]
178
00:13:47,794 --> 00:13:50,195
Okay.
179
00:13:52,799 --> 00:13:55,100
So...
180
00:13:55,101 --> 00:13:58,203
Are we secure,
your harness?
181
00:13:58,204 --> 00:13:59,338
Yes.
182
00:13:59,339 --> 00:14:02,274
You use your crampons
very well.
183
00:14:28,702 --> 00:14:32,371
Once I dropped into the cave,
I focused on how awesome it was
184
00:14:32,372 --> 00:14:35,407
To be one of the first people
to ever see that place.
185
00:14:41,715 --> 00:14:45,851
The ice is alive, and you could
hear it creak and groan
186
00:14:45,852 --> 00:14:49,388
As it all inches
very slowly toward the sea.
187
00:14:53,593 --> 00:14:55,627
Narrator:
the ice is a data bank,
188
00:14:55,628 --> 00:14:57,596
Storing centuries of information
189
00:14:57,597 --> 00:15:01,433
For the team's glaciologist,
dr. Luc moreau.
190
00:15:01,434 --> 00:15:04,870
The ice is a memory
of the climate.
191
00:15:04,871 --> 00:15:08,841
You see different layer --
192
00:15:08,842 --> 00:15:12,444
And white layer
represent the winter,
193
00:15:12,445 --> 00:15:15,314
So we can calculate
the age of the ice here.
194
00:15:15,315 --> 00:15:18,050
Narrator: a glacier is truly
a time capsule.
195
00:15:18,051 --> 00:15:19,918
The deeper you go,
196
00:15:19,919 --> 00:15:23,555
The more the seasonal layers
are compressed.
197
00:15:23,556 --> 00:15:26,558
Only 60 feet down,
hazel can collect samples
198
00:15:26,559 --> 00:15:30,095
Which fell as snow
centuries ago.
199
00:15:30,096 --> 00:15:34,633
So far, we've found bunches
of different bacteria --
200
00:15:34,634 --> 00:15:38,303
Gram-negatives,
gram-positive, cocci,
201
00:15:38,304 --> 00:15:40,939
Spirochetes, all kinds
of cool-looking stuff.
202
00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:42,241
The thing is,
203
00:15:42,242 --> 00:15:44,810
There's not much I can do
with them here in the field.
204
00:15:44,811 --> 00:15:46,912
The only thing I can do
is freeze them down
205
00:15:46,913 --> 00:15:48,313
And take them back with me.
206
00:15:48,314 --> 00:15:50,549
Narrator: the bacteria
hazel wants most
207
00:15:50,550 --> 00:15:53,652
Lie buried beneath
500 feet of ice.
208
00:15:53,653 --> 00:15:55,921
The team cannot descend
that deep
209
00:15:55,922 --> 00:16:00,159
Until there is a four-day cold
snap to stop the flow of water.
210
00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:03,028
They soon get their wish.
211
00:16:03,029 --> 00:16:06,131
Aulenbach: the other day,
it was minus 12 centigrade
212
00:16:06,132 --> 00:16:08,400
With a windchill
of minus 26 centigrade,
213
00:16:08,401 --> 00:16:10,669
Which is colder than a freezer.
214
00:16:10,670 --> 00:16:12,371
So it was very cold,
215
00:16:12,372 --> 00:16:15,007
Bitterly cold.
216
00:16:15,008 --> 00:16:16,175
Big time.
217
00:16:16,176 --> 00:16:18,777
Too cold to be pleasant.
218
00:16:18,778 --> 00:16:21,880
Aulenbach:
waiting for the water to
freeze up is the hardest part,
219
00:16:21,881 --> 00:16:24,083
Because we're out
in the middle of an ice cap.
220
00:16:24,084 --> 00:16:25,784
There's not a whole lot to do.
221
00:16:25,785 --> 00:16:29,755
This is definitely
a caver's haircut.
222
00:16:29,756 --> 00:16:31,990
� we can run �
223
00:16:31,991 --> 00:16:34,426
� we can ride �
224
00:16:34,427 --> 00:16:37,329
� we can fly �
225
00:16:37,330 --> 00:16:39,465
Narrator:
to prepare for the deep descent,
226
00:16:39,466 --> 00:16:42,735
�<
nancy has to learn to measure
the movement of the ice
227
00:16:42,736 --> 00:16:45,104
As the cave walls
are slowly pushed in
228
00:16:45,105 --> 00:16:47,940
By the tremendous weight
of the glacier.
229
00:16:52,212 --> 00:16:55,714
Janot decided to risk
perhaps his deepest descent ever
230
00:16:55,715 --> 00:16:57,716
To get samples for hazel.
231
00:17:06,793 --> 00:17:10,629
Only days ago,
this was a deadly waterfall.
232
00:17:14,034 --> 00:17:18,404
The deeper you go, the more
unstable the ice becomes.
233
00:17:18,405 --> 00:17:20,239
Janot has seen ice boulders
234
00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:22,841
Burst from the walls
like cannon shots.
235
00:17:22,842 --> 00:17:26,445
10-foot spears can break loose
without warning,
236
00:17:26,446 --> 00:17:29,348
So he purges the walls
of loose ice
237
00:17:29,349 --> 00:17:32,384
To protect the team members
who will follow.
238
00:17:32,385 --> 00:17:35,454
[ man chanting indistinctly ]
239
00:17:39,626 --> 00:17:42,995
Sometimes, to set ice screws
in the safest spot,
240
00:17:42,996 --> 00:17:46,465
Janot turns himself
into a human pendulum.
241
00:18:00,380 --> 00:18:02,514
Assisting janot on the descent,
242
00:18:02,515 --> 00:18:04,917
Luc is concerned
about dripping water
243
00:18:04,918 --> 00:18:07,586
Icing up the rope at 200 feet.
244
00:18:20,967 --> 00:18:25,404
Aulenbach:
I've rappelled into hundreds of
vertical pits around the world,
245
00:18:25,405 --> 00:18:28,107
But never anything like this.
246
00:18:28,108 --> 00:18:31,243
[ ice cracks ]
247
00:18:40,253 --> 00:18:44,590
Ice adds an element
of unpredictable risk.
248
00:18:46,426 --> 00:18:49,328
[ men speaking indistinctly ]
249
00:19:15,655 --> 00:19:17,856
Narrator:
at just over 500 feet,
250
00:19:17,857 --> 00:19:20,759
Janot grows
increasingly concerned
251
00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:23,762
By the instability of the ice.
252
00:19:23,763 --> 00:19:29,034
This is the second-deepest ice
cave janot has ever explored.
253
00:19:33,707 --> 00:19:35,507
As hazel rappels,
254
00:19:35,508 --> 00:19:40,179
Janot radios up and warns her
not to descend too far.
255
00:19:40,180 --> 00:19:44,049
Instead, he will bring her
the deepest sample.
256
00:19:44,050 --> 00:19:49,121
A large block of ice above janot
seems ready to break loose.
257
00:19:49,122 --> 00:19:52,658
He wastes no time in collecting
the samples for hazel
258
00:19:52,659 --> 00:19:56,228
Before starting the long climb
back out.
259
00:20:16,016 --> 00:20:18,717
[ choir vocalizing ]
260
00:20:37,370 --> 00:20:41,507
Perhaps the microbes
janot risked his life for
261
00:20:41,508 --> 00:20:44,443
Will one day offer
a cure for disease,
262
00:20:44,444 --> 00:20:52,885
But it will take years of
research to unlock that secret.
263
00:20:52,886 --> 00:20:57,723
But I found a few weeks
was quite my limit.
264
00:20:57,724 --> 00:21:01,260
I knew I'd miss
my new french friends, though.
265
00:21:01,261 --> 00:21:03,629
When you go caving with someone,
266
00:21:03,630 --> 00:21:06,565
You trust your life to them,
and they to you.
267
00:21:06,566 --> 00:21:08,634
You become friends for life.
268
00:21:24,551 --> 00:21:27,152
Aulenbach: the hills
near my home in georgia
269
00:21:27,153 --> 00:21:31,390
Are ideal terrain
for the formation of caves.
270
00:21:31,391 --> 00:21:35,828
Just as extremophiles thrive
in the ice cap of greenland,
271
00:21:35,829 --> 00:21:39,465
Bats are well-adapted
to classic limestone caves.
272
00:21:39,466 --> 00:21:42,301
These flying mammals
sleep all day
273
00:21:42,302 --> 00:21:44,770
And come out at sunset to feed.
274
00:21:44,771 --> 00:21:48,007
40% of all bat species
are endangered,
275
00:21:48,008 --> 00:21:49,608
But not this colony.
276
00:21:49,609 --> 00:21:51,110
The 20 million bats here
277
00:21:51,111 --> 00:21:54,513
Eat half a million pounds
of insects every night.
278
00:22:01,354 --> 00:22:03,355
Narrator:
thanks to special training,
279
00:22:03,356 --> 00:22:05,190
Nancy can introduce her class
280
00:22:05,191 --> 00:22:09,294
To this underappreciated
creature on a field trip.
281
00:22:09,295 --> 00:22:11,096
Aulenbach: do you have
any questions?
282
00:22:11,097 --> 00:22:12,631
Girl:
what do bats eat?
283
00:22:12,632 --> 00:22:16,101
Well, this kind of bat
eats scorpions.
284
00:22:16,102 --> 00:22:17,369
Can you believe that?
285
00:22:17,370 --> 00:22:20,105
I wouldn't want to eat
a scorpion. Would you?
286
00:22:20,106 --> 00:22:22,041
No.
No.
No.
No.
287
00:22:22,042 --> 00:22:24,376
And bats eat
a lot of insects, too.
288
00:22:24,377 --> 00:22:27,946
They get rid of those nasty
mosquitos that bite your legs,
289
00:22:27,947 --> 00:22:29,548
Make you itch.
290
00:22:29,549 --> 00:22:33,552
Like bats, serious cavers
will go a long way
291
00:22:33,553 --> 00:22:37,489
To find a good cave,
so when hazel invited me
292
00:22:37,490 --> 00:22:40,025
On another far-flung search
for extremophiles,
293
00:22:40,026 --> 00:22:44,396
I was raring to go.
294
00:22:44,397 --> 00:22:46,231
Narrator:
southern mexico --
295
00:22:46,232 --> 00:22:51,070
The yucatan peninsula
juts defiantly into the gulf.
296
00:22:51,071 --> 00:22:53,839
[ man singing indistinctly ]
297
00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:56,675
These ancient mayan temples
298
00:22:56,676 --> 00:23:00,145
Were built on one huge
limestone plateau.
299
00:23:00,146 --> 00:23:05,584
The plateau holds hundreds
of miles of cave passage,
300
00:23:05,585 --> 00:23:09,088
The longest underwater
cave system in the world.
301
00:23:14,361 --> 00:23:18,931
The caves are entered through
"cenotes," natural wells.
302
00:23:18,932 --> 00:23:23,002
How did it go?
Did y'all find anything?
303
00:23:26,873 --> 00:23:30,109
Hey, kids, I'm still down here
in mexico with hazel,
304
00:23:30,110 --> 00:23:33,178
And we're looking for something
called a halocline.
305
00:23:33,179 --> 00:23:37,049
A halocline is where the fresh
water from a stream like this
306
00:23:37,050 --> 00:23:38,917
Meets the salt water
in the ocean,
307
00:23:38,918 --> 00:23:42,454
And it forms this really
blurry layer.
308
00:23:42,455 --> 00:23:45,357
You see this blurry layer?
309
00:23:45,358 --> 00:23:48,193
Hazel thinks that there are
some special bugs
310
00:23:48,194 --> 00:23:51,030
That live in this halocline, so
that's why we're looking for it.
311
00:23:51,031 --> 00:23:53,298
Well, that's about it
for right now,
312
00:23:53,299 --> 00:23:55,968
And I love y'all, and give
yourselves a big hug for me.
313
00:23:55,969 --> 00:23:57,036
Bye.
314
00:23:57,037 --> 00:23:58,470
Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
315
00:23:58,471 --> 00:24:01,840
Barton: to find
an uncontaminated halocline,
316
00:24:01,841 --> 00:24:04,410
Our guide, jorge gonzalez,
317
00:24:04,411 --> 00:24:08,981
Led us to a remote cave
deep in the jungle.
318
00:24:08,982 --> 00:24:13,118
[ laughing ]
319
00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,855
Narrator:
if the fresh water in this cave
320
00:24:16,856 --> 00:24:18,857
Flows all the way to the sea,
321
00:24:18,858 --> 00:24:21,427
It must pass through
a halocline.
322
00:24:21,428 --> 00:24:26,065
To find out, nancy and hazel
use fluorescein dye,
323
00:24:26,066 --> 00:24:28,467
Which does not harm
the environment.
324
00:24:28,468 --> 00:24:31,570
Aulenbach: if this green dye
comes out where we expect,
325
00:24:31,571 --> 00:24:33,272
At a coastal lagoon,
326
00:24:33,273 --> 00:24:36,875
Then we'll know this cave is
connected directly to the sea.
327
00:24:39,913 --> 00:24:44,283
Hazel retrieved
the water collector she placed
328
00:24:44,284 --> 00:24:48,954
At the mouth of the underground
stream the day before.
329
00:24:48,955 --> 00:24:51,690
The slightest trace
of fluorescein will show up
330
00:24:51,691 --> 00:24:54,193
Under my black light.
331
00:24:55,595 --> 00:24:58,097
Barton:
how's it look, nance?
332
00:24:58,098 --> 00:24:59,465
I'm seeing green!
333
00:24:59,466 --> 00:25:01,800
Barton: since the green dye
went through to the ocean,
334
00:25:01,801 --> 00:25:04,269
We went back to the cave
the next day.
335
00:25:04,270 --> 00:25:07,473
Whoo!
336
00:25:07,474 --> 00:25:09,708
[ laughter ]
337
00:25:09,709 --> 00:25:12,311
Hey, be careful,
and have fun.
338
00:25:12,312 --> 00:25:15,214
Aulenbach: I respect hazel's
decision to take up cave diving,
339
00:25:15,215 --> 00:25:18,550
But I promised my family
I'd never do it.
340
00:25:18,551 --> 00:25:21,286
Narrator:
cave diving has been called
341
00:25:21,287 --> 00:25:24,490
The most dangerous adventure
in the world.
342
00:25:24,491 --> 00:25:29,962
Survival takes training,
caution, and luck.
343
00:25:29,963 --> 00:25:32,531
[ moody blues' "water" plays ]
344
00:25:40,140 --> 00:25:42,241
Barton:
we're laying a dive line.
345
00:25:42,242 --> 00:25:44,410
It's a bit like leaving
a trail of bread crumbs
346
00:25:44,411 --> 00:25:46,912
To find your way back home.
347
00:25:46,913 --> 00:25:52,918
� aaaaaaah, aaaah �
348
00:25:52,919 --> 00:25:58,190
� aaaaaaah, aaaah �
349
00:26:00,593 --> 00:26:03,696
Narrator:
jorge affixes arrows to the line
350
00:26:03,697 --> 00:26:07,066
To guide the divers
back to the exit.
351
00:26:09,936 --> 00:26:13,739
� aaaaaaah �
352
00:26:13,740 --> 00:26:15,908
Barton: there are rules
that we never break.
353
00:26:15,909 --> 00:26:18,844
We always turn around
and head for the exit
354
00:26:18,845 --> 00:26:20,913
When we've used up 1/3
of our air
355
00:26:20,914 --> 00:26:22,414
So we have extra air
356
00:26:22,415 --> 00:26:25,117
In case we run into problems
on the way out.
357
00:26:35,628 --> 00:26:39,631
Life in total darkness has made
this species of fish blind.
358
00:26:39,632 --> 00:26:43,902
To compensate, its other senses
have become more acute.
359
00:26:45,805 --> 00:26:48,874
When debris rains down
from the ceiling,
360
00:26:48,875 --> 00:26:53,145
You know that no one's even been
this way before.
361
00:26:59,052 --> 00:27:03,655
� aaaaaaah, aaaah �
362
00:27:03,656 --> 00:27:06,658
If the silt gets kicked up
in a huge cloud
363
00:27:06,659 --> 00:27:08,827
And you lose sight
of the dive line,
364
00:27:08,828 --> 00:27:12,498
You may never find it again,
and you could run out of air
365
00:27:12,499 --> 00:27:15,601
Before you ever find your way
out of the cave.
366
00:27:15,602 --> 00:27:20,472
� aaaaaaaaaah �
367
00:27:29,182 --> 00:27:31,316
When we reached
a breakdown pile,
368
00:27:31,317 --> 00:27:34,353
I wasn't sure if I could get
through the small passage,
369
00:27:34,354 --> 00:27:36,488
But the volume of water
flowing through
370
00:27:36,489 --> 00:27:39,692
Suggested that there was more
cave on the other side,
371
00:27:39,693 --> 00:27:41,994
So I had to find out.
372
00:27:47,467 --> 00:27:50,502
Open-ocean divers
wear scuba tanks on their backs,
373
00:27:50,503 --> 00:27:52,671
But cave divers go side-mount
374
00:27:52,672 --> 00:27:56,041
So we can squeeze through
narrow passages.
375
00:28:01,214 --> 00:28:04,483
In a really tight spot,
you can remove your tanks,
376
00:28:04,484 --> 00:28:08,187
Push them ahead, and then
follow them through the hole.
377
00:28:30,577 --> 00:28:34,913
We were approaching
our turnaround,
378
00:28:34,914 --> 00:28:37,850
And I will not break that rule
no matter what.
379
00:28:41,755 --> 00:28:44,423
Just when the cave seemed
to be reaching the right depth
380
00:28:44,424 --> 00:28:47,426
For a halocline,
we hit a dead end.
381
00:28:52,699 --> 00:28:55,768
In the few moments it took
for us to hunt for an opening,
382
00:28:55,769 --> 00:28:58,604
We kicked up
a huge cloud of silt.
383
00:29:29,703 --> 00:29:31,637
Narrator:
as soon as hazel and jorge
384
00:29:31,638 --> 00:29:34,106
Worked their way
out of the silt cloud,
385
00:29:34,107 --> 00:29:36,308
They headed for the exit.
386
00:29:42,315 --> 00:29:46,452
Barton: just because fluorescein
dye makes it through a passage,
387
00:29:46,453 --> 00:29:48,487
That doesn't mean that we can.
388
00:29:48,488 --> 00:29:52,224
You don't look too happy.
What happened?
389
00:29:52,225 --> 00:29:55,828
I wasn't in much of a talking
mood, but my mind was made up.
390
00:29:55,829 --> 00:29:58,497
We'd try a different cave.
391
00:30:02,469 --> 00:30:06,505
Narratorof new medicines,
due to its biological diversity.
392
00:30:06,506 --> 00:30:08,574
The great variety of cave life
393
00:30:08,575 --> 00:30:12,244
Is starting to prove
just as productive.
394
00:30:12,245 --> 00:30:14,913
You're wet.
Get away from it.
395
00:30:14,914 --> 00:30:18,017
Barton: I wanted
more biological diversity,
396
00:30:18,018 --> 00:30:19,685
But the arrival
of the rainy season
397
00:30:19,686 --> 00:30:21,754
Meant that time was running out.
398
00:30:21,755 --> 00:30:24,990
We needed to find
the halocline fast.
399
00:30:24,991 --> 00:30:28,761
[ "I know you're out there
somewhere" plays ]
400
00:30:31,698 --> 00:30:33,699
Aulenbach:
we saw a chain of cenotes,
401
00:30:33,700 --> 00:30:37,469
Perhaps connected
by an underground river.
402
00:30:37,470 --> 00:30:41,173
I got gps coordinates on
the biggest cenote in the chain,
403
00:30:41,174 --> 00:30:43,676
A good starting point
for the next dive.
404
00:30:51,484 --> 00:30:54,853
[ dramatic music plays ]
405
00:31:11,971 --> 00:31:14,073
Barton:
we decided to use scooters
406
00:31:14,074 --> 00:31:17,209
To give us more range
in our hunt for the halocline.
407
00:31:17,210 --> 00:31:22,247
Girl: � I know
you're out there somewhere �
408
00:31:22,248 --> 00:31:24,750
Barton: as the sunlight
disappeared behind us,
409
00:31:24,751 --> 00:31:27,953
I felt what all scientists feel
in their gut --
410
00:31:27,954 --> 00:31:31,990
"here I go again,
into the black void."
411
00:31:41,401 --> 00:31:44,136
[ man chanting indistinctly ]
412
00:31:56,483 --> 00:31:58,283
There was already a dive line
413
00:31:58,284 --> 00:32:02,021
For us to follow
toward the ocean.
414
00:32:02,022 --> 00:32:06,458
Someone had been here
before us, but when?
415
00:32:06,459 --> 00:32:10,596
It was spooky
when the dive line ran out.
416
00:32:10,597 --> 00:32:14,366
This must be where our mystery
trailblazer turned back.
417
00:32:17,203 --> 00:32:18,737
Aulenbach:
we made an educated guess
418
00:32:18,738 --> 00:32:21,040
As to where the underground
river comes out.
419
00:32:21,041 --> 00:32:23,876
That's where I'm headed
with my gps.
420
00:32:43,596 --> 00:32:47,232
Barton: still no halocline,
but the cave was getting deeper,
421
00:32:47,233 --> 00:32:48,600
So I had a good feeling
422
00:32:48,601 --> 00:32:51,870
About our chances
as we continued downstream.
423
00:33:14,027 --> 00:33:16,762
The elusive halocline.
424
00:33:16,763 --> 00:33:20,099
When we got our glimpse
of it downstream,
425
00:33:20,100 --> 00:33:21,533
We anchored our scooters
426
00:33:21,534 --> 00:33:25,037
To keep the propellers
from disturbing the halocline.
427
00:33:35,915 --> 00:33:39,685
I knew from the blurry layer
that this was definitely it,
428
00:33:39,686 --> 00:33:43,455
A well-defined
and uncontaminated halocline.
429
00:33:43,456 --> 00:33:45,591
Anything living in this boundary
430
00:33:45,592 --> 00:33:48,961
Between the salt and
fresh waters is, by definition,
431
00:33:48,962 --> 00:33:53,065
An extremophile with
a unique system for survival.
432
00:34:17,190 --> 00:34:18,891
I made sure to collect
433
00:34:18,892 --> 00:34:21,126
From different levels
of the halocline
434
00:34:21,127 --> 00:34:24,396
To increase the variety
of the samples.
435
00:34:34,307 --> 00:34:40,546
� ooooh, ahhh �
436
00:34:40,547 --> 00:34:47,553
� ooooh, ahhh �
437
00:34:51,391 --> 00:34:54,593
My samples from the halocline
are very precious.
438
00:34:54,594 --> 00:34:57,563
Who knows what cures
may be waiting
439
00:34:57,564 --> 00:35:00,065
In the samples
I collected today.
440
00:35:00,066 --> 00:35:04,069
Unfortunately, I'll have to wait
a long time to find out,
441
00:35:04,070 --> 00:35:06,338
Because it can take years
to approve
442
00:35:06,339 --> 00:35:09,942
And test a safe, new drug.
443
00:35:09,943 --> 00:35:15,547
For the moment, all I know
is that I'm very, very happy.
444
00:35:15,548 --> 00:35:18,417
Whoo!
I got it!
445
00:35:18,418 --> 00:35:19,518
You got it!
446
00:35:19,519 --> 00:35:20,686
I got it!
447
00:35:20,687 --> 00:35:23,956
It may seem I'm this
free-spirited scientist,
448
00:35:23,957 --> 00:35:26,492
But I'm really part
of a research team.
449
00:35:26,493 --> 00:35:28,761
My colleagues count on me
450
00:35:28,762 --> 00:35:31,563
To bring back
unique microscopic life.
451
00:35:34,668 --> 00:35:37,236
Often, I don't find
what we were looking for,
452
00:35:37,237 --> 00:35:39,538
But I find something else
totally unexpected
453
00:35:39,539 --> 00:35:41,740
And just as useful.
454
00:35:44,277 --> 00:35:47,680
[ choir vocalizing ]
455
00:36:05,198 --> 00:36:07,733
Life is full of surprises.
456
00:36:07,734 --> 00:36:10,536
A powerful microscope can reveal
457
00:36:10,537 --> 00:36:13,305
A whole universe
in a drop of water.
458
00:36:18,611 --> 00:36:20,279
In just six short years,
459
00:36:20,280 --> 00:36:22,348
The search for extremophiles
has produced
460
00:36:22,349 --> 00:36:24,917
A potential new treatment
for leukemia
461
00:36:24,918 --> 00:36:28,620
And added 12 new kingdoms
to the tree of life.
462
00:36:28,621 --> 00:36:30,989
Each kingdom is distinct
from the others
463
00:36:30,990 --> 00:36:33,892
As, say, a cabbage is
from a dolphin.
464
00:36:37,731 --> 00:36:41,166
Narrator:
just when we think we've
seen every inch of our planet,
465
00:36:41,167 --> 00:36:44,236
We find somewhere else
we haven't looked,
466
00:36:44,237 --> 00:36:47,973
Remote, mysterious places
of extreme potential,
467
00:36:47,974 --> 00:36:51,310
Places where the horizon
turns inward
468
00:36:51,311 --> 00:36:55,881
And waits for cavers
to expand it for us all.
469
00:36:55,882 --> 00:36:57,950
[ choir vocalizing ]
470
00:37:36,456 --> 00:37:40,993
Aulenbach:
I am gonna be caving until
my body completely falls apart.
471
00:37:40,994 --> 00:37:43,562
I'm going
to do everything possible
472
00:37:43,563 --> 00:37:46,465
That I can contribute
to the world of caving,
473
00:37:46,466 --> 00:37:49,268
In my wheelchair if I have to.
474
00:37:49,269 --> 00:37:53,038
I'm always gonna be caving
in my heart, always.
475
00:37:53,039 --> 00:37:55,741
� we can run �
476
00:37:55,742 --> 00:37:58,344
� we can ride �
477
00:37:58,345 --> 00:38:01,013
� we can fly �
478
00:38:06,486 --> 00:38:08,787
� treasure every moment �
479
00:38:08,788 --> 00:38:11,223
� never be apart �
480
00:38:11,224 --> 00:38:13,792
� follow every footstep �
481
00:38:13,793 --> 00:38:15,994
� take me to your heart �
482
00:38:15,995 --> 00:38:19,999
� I want to feel the freedom �
483
00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:23,002
� in our lives �
484
00:38:25,472 --> 00:38:28,207
� we can run �
485
00:38:28,208 --> 00:38:30,709
� we can ride �
486
00:38:30,710 --> 00:38:33,445
� we can fly �
487
00:38:33,446 --> 00:38:35,481
� no matter what they say �
488
00:38:35,482 --> 00:38:38,183
� we can love �
489
00:38:38,184 --> 00:38:40,686
� we can live �
490
00:38:40,687 --> 00:38:44,189
� we can fly �47232
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.