Sylvia Earle, affectionately known as the "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, will be visiting UB's Center for the Arts tonight at 8 p.m.
Earle, a renowned oceanographer, lecturer, explorer and author, pioneered research on marine ecosystems and was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She also played an integral role in establishing the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Monument, a 140,000 square mile plot of ocean that is home to more than 7,000 kinds of marine life.
Earle currently holds the world record for the deepest solo dive without a tether; she descended 1,250 feet while strapped to a submarine, unstrapped herself and walked on the ocean floor, where the pressure was 600 pounds per square inch.
She also holds the record for the deepest women's solo dive, plunging 3,281 feet (one kilometer) into the ocean.
Earle has received more than 100 national and international awards and honors for her work and has authored over 175 publications, including the 2008 National Geographic book, Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas.
Tickets to hear Sylvia Earle speak tonight are still available at 350 Student Union (the Student Association office) and the Center for the Arts box office.
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