3D PAPIER-MÂCHÉ SEAFLOOR BATHYMETRY

This papier-mâché 3D seafloor bathymetry map comes complete with black smoker hydrothermal vents and a mini ROV to sample microbiology! I modeled this bathymetry map after one I had for the Escanaba Trough on the Gorda Ridge (NE Pacific Ocean). 

To make the 3D structures to mimic the bathymetry of the seafloor at the Escanaba Trough, I used old plastic yogurt containers, plastic bottles, and packing peanuts to create topography similar to what was on the map. I also added plastic bags or paper with tape to help create the proper shapes.

Once I had my basic shapes in place, I covered the whole seafloor with strips of paper dipped in a runny mix of flour and water. After these dried, some of the paper pieces pulled away from the others, but that's okay. Once dried, I painted the seafloor with the colors from the map (deep blues = deeper to bright oranges = shallower), which created a rainbow effect. Once the paint was dry, I added the vent structures and an ROV.

The hydrothermal vents are made of bits of volcanic rock I collected from Kama'ehuakanaloa Seamount on a recent expedition with some extra glitter glued on to make them look more like sulfides. I added a bit of gray wool wound about a piece of copper wire with silver thread tied around to keep it in place to simulate the black smoke of a black smoker vent. I wound the rest of the wire around the vent to hold it in place.

To make the ROV, I cut bits of an egg carton flap off and glued them together. I cut out robotic arm shapes and glued those to the sides. I then painted the whole thing and stuck a bit of copper wire through the bottom and into the seafloor to hold it in place, suspended in the water column.

Supplies Needed:

1 shallow box

strips of paper

mix of flour and water, a bit runny

recycled materials like plastic containers, plastic bags, packing peanuts, etc.

tape

silver thread

rocks

thin wire

gray yarn or wool

cardboard egg carton

acrylic paint in rainbow colors

paint brushes