Titanic submersible implosion 3D animation is now a viral video with 10 million views
Pieces of the imploded Titan were discovered and recovered 488 metres from the Titanic wreck site.(Photo: OceanGate/DailyO)
The internet has been abuzz with a short but interesting animation video that sheds some light on the catastrophic implosion of OceanGate's Titan submersible during its ill-fated journey to the century-old wreck of the Titanic.
The video, which has gained almost 10 million views within just 13 days of its YouTube premiere, offers fresh insights into the possible but convincing reasons behind the tragedy, that killed all five onboard including the OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush on June 18.
Viral video
The animation video, uploaded by the YouTube channel AiTelly with 267 thousand subscribers, presents a gripping six-minute and twenty-second visual account of the Titan submersible's implosion. Using 3D engineering animations, the video vividly illustrates the destructive process of collapsing inwards on the object itself, revealing the violent implosion of the submersible.
- According to the video, at the depths where the Titanic lies (around 3,800 metres below the seal level), the surrounding water exerted an immense hydrostatic pressure of approximately 5,600 pounds per square inch—almost 400 times the pressure experienced on the surface.
- When the submersible ventured into the deep ocean, it was subjected to an immense external force caused by the overwhelming water pressure. As this force surpassed the structural limits of the hull, the consequences were nothing short of a catastrophic implosion.
- The video emphasises that conventional submarines, made of steel, aluminium, or titanium, are designed to withstand such pressures. However, the tiny Titan submersible's experimental design, primarily constructed with lightweight carbon fibres, proved insufficient in the face of extreme conditions.
- While the Titan submersible was making a buzz, many deep-sea experts had flagged the inability of the carbon fibre to withstand such pressures. There also was an instance of an OceanGate employee getting fired for indicating doubts over the sub's depth ceiling.
- The animation video not only shed light on the various components of the Titan submersible, both inside and outside but also provided a glimpse into its confined interior, emphasising the limited space and cramped conditions experienced by its occupants.
Forewarning of the doom
It is believed that the passengers aboard the submersible had a harrowing realisation of their impending fate just moments before the implosion. As an electrical failure and loss of stability occurred, the vessel may have descended rapidly, resulting in a sudden and catastrophic event that caused the submersible to plummet towards the seabed, ultimately leading to its devastating implosion.
What is hydrostatic pressure?
Hydrostatic pressure is like the pressure you feel when you dive deep into a pool. As you go deeper, the weight of the water above you increases, pushing on you from all sides. The deeper you go, the more pressure you feel. It's similar to how water pushes on objects at different depths underwater.
The video serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures and the need for continuous advancements in submarine technology, ensuring the protection and well-being of those who dare to explore the depths.