Aquanauts experience awe-inspiring ‘underview effect’

In 1984, marine biologist Mark Patterson embarked on his first mission as an aquanaut, living underwater for a week in the Hydrolab research station in the Caribbean. This experience, known as saturation diving, involved spending days on the ocean floor and exploring the underwater world. Patterson described a profound sense of awe, termed the “underview effect,” similar to the “overview effect” astronauts feel when viewing Earth from space. This sensation enhances the perception of human connectedness to the world. A study involving 14 aquanauts, including Patterson, highlighted how extended underwater observation fosters a deeper understanding of marine life and environmental changes. The study suggests that sharing these awe-inspiring experiences could encourage others to think differently about the oceans and their importance. QUESTION: How might experiencing the “underview effect” change the way people view and interact with the ocean and its ecosystems?