From blobfish to goblinshark: Why do deep ocean creatures look so weird? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 16, 2025 · 11 MIN

From blobfish to goblinshark: Why do deep ocean creatures look so weird?

from What in the World · host BBC World Service

Oceans make up more than 99% of the Earth’s habitats by volume — yet less than 20% of them have been explored. Some even say it’s easier to send astronauts into space than it is to reach the ocean floor. Only a handful of people have ever reached the deepest part of the ocean - known as the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. So, why is it so difficult to get there? And what new tech is helping us uncover the ocean’s secrets? The BBC’s Climate and Science correspondent Georgina Rannard explains why we know so little about what’s going on in the deepest parts of the ocean and some of the discoveries that have been made about this mysterious part of our world. Archive courtesy of British Pathé.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Baldeep Chahal, Julia Ross-Roy, Emily Horler and Emilia Jansson Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Oceans make up more than 99% of the Earth’s habitats by volume — yet less than 20% of them have been explored. Some even say it’s easier to send astronauts into space than it is to reach the ocean floor. Only a handful of people have ever reached the deepest part of the ocean - known as the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. So, why is it so difficult to get there? And what new tech is helping us uncover the ocean’s secrets? The BBC’s Climate and Science correspondent Georgina Rannard explains why we know so little about what’s going on in the deepest parts of the ocean and some of the discoveries that have been made about this mysterious part of our world. Archive courtesy of British Pathé.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Baldeep Chahal, Julia Ross-Roy, Emily Horler and Emilia Jansson Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

NOW PLAYING

From blobfish to goblinshark: Why do deep ocean creatures look so weird?

0:00 11:49

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of What in the World?

This episode is 11 minutes long.

When was this What in the World episode published?

This episode was published on July 16, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Oceans make up more than 99% of the Earth’s habitats by volume — yet less than 20% of them have been explored. Some even say it’s easier to send astronauts into space than it is to reach the ocean floor. Only a handful of people have ever reached...

Can I download this What in the World episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!