Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle is an American marine biologist and ocean explorer. She was born in Gibbstown, New Jersey, in 1935. She has spent over 7,000 hours underwater. She works hard to protect the world's oceans.

Early Life

Earle fell in love with the ocean as a child after her family moved to Florida. She began scuba diving at age 17. She studied marine science in college. She became one of the first women to do deep-sea research.

Sylvia Earle with her all-women diving team before a big mission.
Sylvia Earle with her all-women diving team before a big mission. (OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP) / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Earle set a record by walking on the ocean floor at 1,250 feet deep in a special suit. She was the first woman to be chief scientist at NOAA. She started a project called Mission Blue to create protected areas in the ocean. She has led over 100 expeditions.

Fun Facts

  • Earle is nicknamed Her Deepness because of her love for the deep ocean.
  • She has discovered many new species of ocean plants.
  • She walked on the ocean floor deeper than anyone had before without a tether to a submarine.

Did You Know?

Earle says the ocean is the blue heart of the planet. She has spent her life trying to protect it. She believes that if we save the oceans, we save ourselves.