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Nature 421, 468-470 (30 January 2003) | doi:10.1038/421468a

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Oceanography: Robots in the deep

Tom Clarke1

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Having overcome problems with reliability, autonomous submersibles are starting to make their mark on marine science. Tom Clarke follows their progress beneath the waves — without getting his feet wet.

The 'Rose Garden' amazed marine scientists when it was discovered in 1979. Hydrothermal vents — outpourings of volcanically superheated water from the sea bed — had been identified just two years before.