3. A little world within itself

Humans have transformed almost every corner of our planet, reshaping landscapes and ecosystems beyond recognition But is there anywhere left on Earth that is unchanged by humans? Anywhere we haven’t altered – at all?

Presenter Caroline Steel and producer Florian Bohr continue their search for No Man’s Land…if it exists.

In this episode, we speak to legendary ocean explorer Bob Ballard - the man who found the Titanic’s resting place. But instead we ask him about what he considers to be his life’s greatest achievement – his discovery of hydrothermal vents, underwater chimneys blasting superheated water from deep beneath the ocean floor. Marine biologist Verena Tunnicliffe, who has spent four decades studying these alien worlds, joins Caroline and Florian to answer the all-important question – could hydrothermal vents be No Man’s Land?

Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producer: Florian Bohr
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Stuart Laws

Archive:
The Beagle Diary, Radio 4, read by Jo Stone-Fewings