TEDGlobal>London
Francesco Sauro: Deep under the Earth's surface, discovering beauty and science
弗朗西斯科·绍罗: 深入地表以下，发现美景和科学。
Filmed:
Readability: 4.8
1,551,994 views
洞穴探险家、地理学家弗朗西斯科·绍罗深入位于我们脚底的隐藏大陆，调查地球深处那些从未被人踏足过的黑暗之地。在南美洲壮丽的特普伊山，他发现了新的矿物质和与世隔绝、独自进化的昆虫，他还运用自己关于这些“外星世界”的知识来训练宇航员。
Francesco Sauro - Speleologist
Francesco Sauro studies caves and other karst features, and his research takes him places no one has ever been before. Full bio
Francesco Sauro studies caves and other karst features, and his research takes him places no one has ever been before. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
I would like to invite you
0
865
1722
我想邀请在座的各位
00:14
to come along on a visit
1
2611
1706
和我一起
00:16
to a dark continent.
2
4341
1389
去探索一片黑暗的大陆。
00:18
It is the continent hidden
3
6399
1614
这片大陆
00:20
under the surface of the earth.
4
8037
2052
隐藏于地表之下。
00:22
It is largely unexplored,
5
10113
2293
大部分地方无人踏足，
00:24
poorly understood,
and the stuff of legends.
and the stuff of legends.
6
12430
2683
不为人知，充满传奇色彩。
00:27
But it is made also of dramatic landscapes
7
15137
2838
那里有鬼斧神工的奇观，
00:29
like this huge underground chamber,
8
17999
2495
比如这个硕大的地下大厅，
00:32
and it is rich with surprising
biological and mineralogical worlds.
biological and mineralogical worlds.
9
20518
4841
也充满了令人惊奇的生物和矿物。
00:38
Thanks to the efforts of intrepid voyagers
in the last three centuries --
in the last three centuries --
10
26149
4826
多亏三个世纪以来英勇无畏的探险家们——
00:42
actually, we know also thanks
to satellite technology, of course --
to satellite technology, of course --
11
30999
3834
当然，也少不了卫星技术的帮助——
00:46
we know almost every single square meter
of our planet's surface.
of our planet's surface.
12
34857
4204
我们几乎对地球表面的
每一寸土地都了如指掌。
每一寸土地都了如指掌。
00:51
However, we know still very little
about what is hidden inside the earth.
about what is hidden inside the earth.
13
39085
4941
然而，对于隐藏在地表以下的世界，
我们却知之甚少。
我们却知之甚少。
00:56
Because a cave landscape,
like this deep shaft in Italy, is hidden,
like this deep shaft in Italy, is hidden,
14
44050
5925
因为这些巨大的洞穴，
像这个位于意大利的深坑，深埋地下，
像这个位于意大利的深坑，深埋地下，
01:01
the potential of cave exploration --
the geographical dimension --
the geographical dimension --
15
49999
3354
而洞穴考察——从地理学方面而言——的潜力
01:05
is poorly understood and unappreciated.
16
53377
2368
还得不到足够的重视和认可。
01:07
Because we are creatures
living on the surface,
living on the surface,
17
55769
3035
因为我们是居住在地表的生物，
01:10
our perception of the inner
side of the planet
side of the planet
18
58828
4147
我们对于地球内部的看法
01:14
is in some ways skewed,
19
62999
1964
在某些方面是不正确的，
01:16
as is that of the depth of the oceans
20
64987
2452
就如同我们对大洋深处
01:19
or of the upper atmosphere.
21
67463
2507
和近地空间的看法一样。
01:23
However, since systematic cave exploration
started about one century ago,
started about one century ago,
22
71094
6958
尽管如此，由于系统的洞穴勘探
开始于1个世纪前，
开始于1个世纪前，
01:30
we know actually that caves exist
in every continent of the world.
in every continent of the world.
23
78076
4371
我们了解到每一块大陆上都有洞穴存在。
01:34
A single cave system,
like Mammoth Cave, which is in Kentucky,
like Mammoth Cave, which is in Kentucky,
24
82471
4044
单洞穴系统，比如肯塔基州的猛犸洞，
01:38
can be as long
as more than 600 kilometers.
as more than 600 kilometers.
25
86539
3984
长度可以绵延超过600公里。
01:43
And an abyss like Krubera Voronya,
which is in the Caucasus region,
which is in the Caucasus region,
26
91270
4107
而像位于高加索地区的库鲁伯亚拉洞穴，
01:47
actually the deepest cave
explored in the world,
explored in the world,
27
95401
2778
是迄今为止发现的最深的洞穴，
01:50
can go as far as more than 2,000
meters below the surface.
meters below the surface.
28
98203
4321
深度超过2000米。
01:54
That means a journey of weeks
for a cave explorer.
for a cave explorer.
29
102548
3721
意味着洞穴探险家要花数周时间才能到底。
01:59
Caves form in karstic regions.
30
107545
3226
（这些是）喀斯特地区形成的洞穴。
02:02
So karstic regions are areas of the world
31
110795
3180
所谓喀斯特地区，是指这些区域，
02:05
where the infiltrating water
along cracks, fractures,
along cracks, fractures,
32
113999
3490
那里的水顺着岩石缝隙流入地下，
02:09
can easily dissolve soluble lithologies,
33
117513
3960
对可溶性岩石产生溶蚀作用，
形成纵横交错、暗渠遍布的排水系统——
02:13
forming a drainage system
of tunnels, conduits --
of tunnels, conduits --
34
121497
2780
02:16
a three-dimensional network, actually.
35
124301
2479
实际上是一种三维立体网络。
02:18
Karstic regions cover almost 20 percent
of the continents' surface,
of the continents' surface,
36
126804
5879
喀斯特地区几乎覆盖了陆地表面的20%，
02:24
and we know actually that speleologists
in the last 50 years
in the last 50 years
37
132707
5124
在过去的50年里，洞穴学家们
02:29
have explored roughly 30,000 kilometers
of cave passages around the world,
of cave passages around the world,
38
137855
5664
在全世界探索了差不多3万公里的洞穴通道，
02:35
which is a big number.
39
143543
1368
这是个了不起的数字。
02:36
But geologists have estimated
that what is still missing,
that what is still missing,
40
144935
4499
但地质学家估计，那些没被发现的，
02:41
to be discovered and mapped,
41
149458
2230
没有被探明和标注的（洞穴通道），
02:43
is something around 10 million kilometers.
42
151712
3551
差不多还有1000万公里。
02:47
That means that for each meter
of a cave that we already know,
of a cave that we already know,
43
155287
3290
也就是说，那些已经被发现的洞穴，
02:50
that we have explored,
44
158601
1533
其中被勘探过的每一米，
02:52
there are still some tens of kilometers
of undiscovered passages.
of undiscovered passages.
45
160158
5394
都对应数十公里尚未被发现的洞穴通道。
02:57
That means that this is really
an endless continent,
an endless continent,
46
165576
2915
可以说这是一片没有尽头的陆地，
03:00
and we will never be able
to explore it completely.
to explore it completely.
47
168515
3498
我们永远也不可能将它走完。
03:04
And this estimation is made
without considering other types of caves,
without considering other types of caves,
48
172597
3496
而这一估算还未包括其他种类的洞穴，
03:08
like, for example, inside glaciers
or even volcanic caves,
or even volcanic caves,
49
176117
4439
比如说，冰川洞穴，或者火山洞穴，
03:12
which are not karstic,
but are formed by lava flows.
but are formed by lava flows.
50
180580
3532
（火山洞穴）不是喀斯特洞穴，
而是由熔岩流动形成的。
而是由熔岩流动形成的。
03:16
And if we have a look at other planets
like, for example, Mars,
like, for example, Mars,
51
184136
5656
如果我们将目光转向其他行星，比如火星，
03:21
you will see that this characteristic
52
189816
1850
可以看到这些（地质）特征
03:23
is not so specific of our home planet.
53
191690
3087
并不是地球独有的。
03:27
However, I will show to you now
that we do not need to go to Mars
that we do not need to go to Mars
54
195623
4352
当然，我们不用前往火星
03:31
to explore alien worlds.
55
199999
2205
去探索外星人的世界。
03:35
I'm a speleologist, that means
a cave explorer.
a cave explorer.
56
203750
3940
我是一名洞穴学家，
我的工作是勘探洞穴。
我的工作是勘探洞穴。
03:39
And I started with this passion
when I was really young
when I was really young
57
207714
3908
我这个爱好在我很小的时候就形成了，
03:43
in the mountains not far
from my hometown in North Italy,
from my hometown in North Italy,
58
211646
4061
当时是在离我家不远，
意大利北部的山区里，
意大利北部的山区里，
03:47
in the karstic regions of the Alps
and the Dolomites.
and the Dolomites.
59
215731
3497
位于阿尔卑斯山和
白云石山的喀斯特地区。
白云石山的喀斯特地区。
03:51
But soon, the quest for exploration
brought me to the farthest corner
brought me to the farthest corner
60
219252
3841
很快，对于勘探的追求
将我带到了地球最远端，
将我带到了地球最远端，
03:55
of the planet, searching
for new potential entrances
for new potential entrances
61
223117
2729
去搜寻这片未知大陆
03:57
of this undiscovered continent.
62
225870
1903
可能的新入口。
04:00
And in 2009, I had the opportunity
to visit the tepui table mountains,
to visit the tepui table mountains,
63
228578
5061
2009年，我有幸走访了特普伊桌山，
04:05
which are in the Orinoco
and Amazon basins.
and Amazon basins.
64
233663
2996
它位于奥里诺科河和亚马孙河流域。
04:08
These massifs enchanted me
from the first time I saw them.
from the first time I saw them.
65
236683
4552
看到这些山峦的第一眼就让我陶醉。
04:13
They are surrounded by vertical,
vertiginous rock walls
vertiginous rock walls
66
241259
3367
它们的四周是陡峭的石壁，垂直于地面，
04:16
with silvery waterfalls
that are lost in the forest.
that are lost in the forest.
67
244650
3471
银色的瀑布悬于崖上，
最后消失在丛林中。
最后消失在丛林中。
04:20
They really inspired in me
a sense of wilderness,
a sense of wilderness,
68
248145
3332
它们用数百万年岁月沉淀的灵气，
04:23
with a soul older than millions
and millions of years.
and millions of years.
69
251501
3298
让我感受到大自然的原始之力。
04:27
And this dramatic landscape
inspired among other things
inspired among other things
70
255480
3911
有很多作品受到这一壮丽景象的启发，
04:31
also Conan Doyle's
"The Lost World" novel in 1912.
"The Lost World" novel in 1912.
71
259415
4560
比如柯南·道尔在1912年
创作的小说《失落的世界》。
创作的小说《失落的世界》。
04:35
And they are, really, a lost world.
72
263999
3304
这里的的确确是一个失落的世界。
04:41
Scientists consider those mountains
as islands in time,
as islands in time,
73
269001
5285
科学家们将这些山脉视为“时间的岛屿”，
04:46
being separated
from the surrounding lowlands
from the surrounding lowlands
74
274310
2638
它们拔地而起，高耸于周围的低地之上，
04:48
since tens of millions of years ago.
75
276972
2684
已有千万年之久。
04:51
They are surrounded
by up to 1,000-meter-high walls,
by up to 1,000-meter-high walls,
76
279680
3901
四周的峭壁高达千米，
04:55
resembling a fortress,
impregnable by humans.
impregnable by humans.
77
283605
3132
形成了人类无法攻破的堡垒。
04:58
And, in fact, only a few
of these mountains have been climbed
of these mountains have been climbed
78
286761
3214
实际上，只有少数的山峰被人类征服过，
05:01
and explored on their top.
79
289999
1836
探索过山顶。
05:04
These mountains contain also
a scientific paradox:
a scientific paradox:
80
292740
2869
这些山脉还包含一个科学悖论：
05:07
They are made by quartz,
81
295633
2060
它们是由石英组成，
05:09
which is a very common mineral
on the earth's crust,
on the earth's crust,
82
297717
3167
石英是地壳中很常见的一种矿石，
05:12
and the rock made up by quartz
is called quartzite,
is called quartzite,
83
300908
4378
由石英组成的岩石叫石英岩，
05:17
and quartzite is one of the hardest
and least soluble minerals on earth.
and least soluble minerals on earth.
84
305310
5308
石英岩是地球上最坚硬、
最难被溶蚀的岩石之一。
最难被溶蚀的岩石之一。
05:22
So we do not expect at all
to find a cave there.
to find a cave there.
85
310642
3391
因此我们根本没想过
会在那里发现洞穴。
会在那里发现洞穴。
05:26
Despite this, in the last 10 years,
speleologists from Italy,
speleologists from Italy,
86
314057
4918
尽管如此，在过去十年间，
来自全球各地的洞穴学家，意大利
来自全球各地的洞穴学家，意大利
斯洛伐克，捷克，
当然还有委内瑞拉和巴西，
当然还有委内瑞拉和巴西，
05:30
Slovakia, Czech Republic,
and, of course, Venezuela and Brazil,
and, of course, Venezuela and Brazil,
87
318999
3805
05:34
have explored several caves in this area.
88
322828
2979
在这个区域发现了许多洞穴。
05:37
So how can it be possible?
89
325831
2487
这怎么可能呢？
05:40
To understand this contradiction,
we have to consider the time factor,
we have to consider the time factor,
90
328342
4061
要理解这一矛盾，
我们必须考虑时间的因素，
我们必须考虑时间的因素，
05:44
because the history of the tepuis
is extremely long,
is extremely long,
91
332427
3303
因为特普伊山的历史非常悠久，
05:47
starting about 1.6 billion years ago
with the formation of the rock,
with the formation of the rock,
92
335754
4657
这些石英岩的形成始于16亿年前，
05:52
and then evolving with the uplift
of the region 150 million years ago,
of the region 150 million years ago,
93
340435
6540
1亿5千万年前，随着盘古大陆的分裂，
05:58
after the disruption
of the Pangaea supercontinent
of the Pangaea supercontinent
94
346999
2976
随着大西洋形成，
06:01
and the opening of the Atlantic Ocean.
95
349999
2353
这些岩石开始逐渐上升。
06:04
So you can imagine that the water had tens
or even hundreds of millions of years
or even hundreds of millions of years
96
352376
6310
想象一下，水流拥有
上千万甚至上亿年的时间
上千万甚至上亿年的时间
06:10
to sculpt the strangest forms
on the tepuis' surfaces,
on the tepuis' surfaces,
97
358710
4058
来雕塑特普伊山坚硬的表面，
06:14
but also to open the fractures
and form stone cities, rock cities,
and form stone cities, rock cities,
98
362792
6014
甚至劈开山体，形成石头城，岩中城，
06:20
fields of towers which are characterized
in the famous landscape of the tepuis.
in the famous landscape of the tepuis.
99
368830
5521
还有塔林，形成了特普伊山特有的美景。
06:26
But nobody could have imagined
100
374375
1444
但没有人能够想象出
06:27
what was happening inside a mountain
in so long a time frame.
in so long a time frame.
101
375843
4736
在如此长的岁月中，
山脉内部到底发生了什么。
山脉内部到底发生了什么。
06:32
And so I was focusing in 2010
on one of those massifs,
on one of those massifs,
102
380603
4477
于是，在2010年，
我将目光锁定在其中一座山峰，
我将目光锁定在其中一座山峰，
06:37
the Auyán-tepui, which is very famous
because it hosts Angel Falls,
because it hosts Angel Falls,
103
385104
3851
阿岩－特普伊山，它因天使瀑布而闻名，
06:40
which is the highest
waterfall in the world --
waterfall in the world --
104
388979
2589
天使瀑布是世界最高瀑布，
06:43
about 979 meters of vertical drop.
105
391592
4059
垂直落差达979米。
06:47
And I was searching for hints
of the existence of cave systems
of the existence of cave systems
106
395675
4886
通过（分析）卫星图像，
我寻找洞穴系统
我寻找洞穴系统
06:52
through satellite images,
107
400585
1868
存在的迹象，
06:54
and finally we identified an area
of collapses of the surface --
of collapses of the surface --
108
402477
4690
最终我发现一个区域有地表坍塌的现象——
06:59
so, big boulders, rock piles --
109
407191
2246
也就是说，大块的、成堆的岩石——
07:01
and that means that there
was a void below.
was a void below.
110
409461
3311
这表明，底下是空的。
07:04
It was a clear indication that there
was something inside the mountain.
was something inside the mountain.
111
412796
3949
毫无疑问，山体中间有些东西。
07:08
So we did several attempts
to reach this area,
to reach this area,
112
416769
4846
于是，我们数次尝试前往这一区域，
07:13
by land and with a helicopter,
113
421639
1762
通过陆路和直升机，
07:15
but it was really difficult
because -- you have to imagine
because -- you have to imagine
114
423425
3550
这一过程非常艰难，要知道，
07:18
that these mountains are covered
by clouds most of the year, by fog.
by clouds most of the year, by fog.
115
426999
4379
这些山脉终年被云雾覆盖。
07:23
There are strong winds,
116
431402
1373
风力很大，
07:24
and there are almost 4,000 millimeters
of rainfall per year,
of rainfall per year,
117
432799
4582
年降水量高达4000毫米，
07:29
so it's really, really difficult
to find good conditions.
to find good conditions.
118
437405
3262
因此找到合适的时机
（攀登）真是非常困难。
（攀登）真是非常困难。
07:32
And only in 2013 we finally
landed on the spot
landed on the spot
119
440691
4783
直到2013年我们才最终抵达这一地点，
07:37
and we started
the exploration of the cave.
the exploration of the cave.
120
445498
2494
开始探索底下的洞穴。
07:40
The cave is huge.
121
448723
1917
这个洞穴非常巨大。
07:42
It's a huge network under the surface
of the tepui plateau,
of the tepui plateau,
122
450664
3827
是一个庞大的洞穴网络，
位于特普伊高原地表以下，
位于特普伊高原地表以下，
07:46
and in only ten days of expedition,
123
454515
3694
在短短的十天时间里，
07:50
we explored more than 20 kilometers
of cave passages.
of cave passages.
124
458233
4123
我们探索了超过20公里的洞穴通道。
07:54
And it's a huge network
of underground rivers,
of underground rivers,
125
462380
5397
那里地下河纵横交错，
07:59
channels, big rooms,
extremely deep shafts.
extremely deep shafts.
126
467801
5174
沟渠遍布，石室众多，
还有非常深的岩井。
还有非常深的岩井。
08:04
So it's really an incredible place.
127
472999
3024
真是一个神奇的地方。
08:08
And we named it Imawarì Yeuta.
128
476047
2541
我们将其命名为“伊玛瓦利 耶尔塔”。
08:10
That means, in the Pemón indigenous
language, "The House of the Gods."
language, "The House of the Gods."
129
478612
6261
在佩蒙土著语里的意思是“众神的居所”。
08:16
You have to imagine that indigenous people
have never been there.
have never been there.
130
484897
3782
要知道，土著人从未去过那里。
08:20
It was impossible for them
to reach this area.
to reach this area.
131
488703
3505
他们不可能抵达那个区域。
08:24
However, there were legends
about the existence
about the existence
132
492232
2206
然而，当地的确有传说，
08:26
of a cave in the mountain.
133
494462
2027
关于山中洞穴的存在。
08:28
So when we started the exploration,
134
496513
1770
因此，当我们开始探索时，
08:30
we had to explore with a great respect,
135
498307
2230
我们心怀敬畏之心，
08:32
both because of the religious beliefs
of the indigenous people,
of the indigenous people,
136
500561
3561
不仅因为当地土著居民的宗教信仰，
08:36
but also because
it was really a sacred place,
it was really a sacred place,
137
504146
2365
还因为这确实是个神圣的地方，
08:38
because no human had entered there before.
138
506535
3335
因为之前从未有人类踏足过。
08:41
So we had to use special protocols
139
509894
1803
因此我们制定了特别的规程
08:43
to not contaminate the environment
with our presence,
with our presence,
140
511721
2789
避免我们的探索对环境造成污染，
08:46
and we tried also to share
with the community,
with the community,
141
514534
2175
同时，我们也尝试将发现成果，
08:48
with the indigenous community,
our discoveries.
our discoveries.
142
516733
2673
与当地社会分享 。
08:51
And the caves represent, really,
a snapshot of the past.
a snapshot of the past.
143
519430
4556
这些洞穴能让我们一窥历史的样貌。
08:56
The time needed for their formation
144
524503
2712
这些洞穴形成的时间，
08:59
could be as long as 50 or even
100 million years,
100 million years,
145
527239
4924
长达5千万甚至1亿年，
09:04
which makes them possibly the oldest caves
that we can explore on earth.
that we can explore on earth.
146
532187
4901
也许是我们在地球上
能找到的最古老的洞穴。
能找到的最古老的洞穴。
09:10
What you can find there
is really evidence of a lost world.
is really evidence of a lost world.
147
538921
5727
你在那里真的能找到
失落世界存在的证据。
失落世界存在的证据。
09:17
When you enter a quartzite cave,
148
545301
1987
当你进入一个石英岩洞穴时，
09:19
you have to completely forget
what you know about caves --
what you know about caves --
149
547312
3448
你不得不将以往对洞穴的
了解都抛在脑后——
了解都抛在脑后——
09:22
classic limestone caves
or the touristic caves
or the touristic caves
150
550784
2997
我说的是典型的石灰岩洞穴，
或者说观光洞穴，
或者说观光洞穴，
09:25
that you can visit
in several places in the world.
in several places in the world.
151
553805
2357
你在世界上很多地方都可以找到。
09:28
Because what seems
a simple stalactite here
a simple stalactite here
152
556186
2925
因为这样一个看起来普通的钟乳石，
09:31
is not made by calcium carbonate,
but is made by opal,
but is made by opal,
153
559135
5085
不是是由碳酸钙组成的，
而是蛋白石，
而是蛋白石，
09:36
and one of those stalactites can require
tens of millions of years to be formed.
tens of millions of years to be formed.
154
564244
5584
而一个这样的钟乳石
需要上千万年的时间才能形成。
需要上千万年的时间才能形成。
09:42
But you can find even stranger forms,
like these mushrooms of silica
like these mushrooms of silica
155
570685
4077
还有些形状更奇怪的，
比如这些由二氧化硅形成的蘑菇，
比如这些由二氧化硅形成的蘑菇，
09:46
growing on a boulder.
156
574786
2074
生长在岩石之上。
09:48
And you can imagine our talks
when we were exploring the cave.
when we were exploring the cave.
157
576884
3786
大家可以想象下，
当我们发现这些时有多激动。
当我们发现这些时有多激动。
09:52
We were the first entering
and discovering those unknown things,
and discovering those unknown things,
158
580694
4993
我们是首次进入（这个洞穴）
和发现这些未知物体的人，
和发现这些未知物体的人，
09:57
things like those monster eggs.
159
585711
2838
比如这些像怪兽蛋的物体。
10:00
And we were a bit scared
because it was all a discovery,
because it was all a discovery,
160
588573
4396
我们有点点害怕，
因为不知道会找到什么，
因为不知道会找到什么，
10:04
and we didn't want to find a dinosaur.
161
592993
2083
我们可不想碰到恐龙。
10:07
We didn't find a dinosaur.
162
595100
1504
当然，恐龙并未出现。
10:08
(Laughter)
163
596628
1597
（笑声）
10:10
Anyway, actually, we know
that this kind of formation,
that this kind of formation,
164
598249
3297
好吧，实际上，经过一些研究之后，
10:13
after several studies,
165
601570
2533
我们弄明白了这种结构，
10:16
we know that these kinds of formations
are living organisms.
are living organisms.
166
604127
3225
我们发现这些物体是活着的有机体。
10:19
They are bacterial colonies using silica
to build mineral structures
to build mineral structures
167
607376
5434
它们是细菌聚落，
使二氧化硅形成矿物结构，
使二氧化硅形成矿物结构，
10:24
resembling stromatolites.
168
612834
1930
就像叠层石一样。
10:26
Stromatolites are some of the oldest
forms of life that we can find on earth.
forms of life that we can find on earth.
169
614788
4521
叠层石是我们在地球上
能找到的最古老的生命形式之一。
能找到的最古老的生命形式之一。
10:31
And here in the tepuis,
170
619333
1803
在特普伊山地区（这个洞穴中），
10:33
the interesting thing is that these
bacteria colonies have evolved
bacteria colonies have evolved
171
621160
4683
有意思的是，这些细菌聚落，
10:37
in complete isolation
from the external surface,
from the external surface,
172
625867
4229
在与外界隔离的情况下完成了进化，
10:42
and without being in contact with humans.
173
630120
2624
而且从未与人类接触过。
10:44
They have never been
in contact with humans.
in contact with humans.
174
632768
2597
完全与世隔绝。
10:47
So the implications
for science are enormous,
for science are enormous,
175
635389
3067
在这里可能会产生
科学上的很多新发现，
科学上的很多新发现，
10:50
because here you could find,
for example, microbes
for example, microbes
176
638480
4002
因为在这里你有可能找到
10:54
that could be useful to resolve
diseases in medicine,
diseases in medicine,
177
642506
4952
能治疗某些疾病的微生物，
10:59
or you could find even a new kind
of material with unknown properties.
of material with unknown properties.
178
647482
3936
或者有可能发现
具有未知特性的新材料。
具有未知特性的新材料。
11:03
And, in fact, we discovered in the cave
a new mineral structure for science,
a new mineral structure for science,
179
651442
4059
事实上，我们的确在洞中
发现了一种新的矿物结构，
发现了一种新的矿物结构，
11:07
which is rossiantonite,
a phosphate-sulfate.
a phosphate-sulfate.
180
655525
3007
叫做rossiantonite，
它是一种磷硫酸矿物。
它是一种磷硫酸矿物。
11:11
So whatever you find in the cave,
even a small cricket,
even a small cricket,
181
659606
4714
所以无论你在洞中发现了什么，
即便是一只小蟋蟀，
即便是一只小蟋蟀，
11:16
has evolved in the dark
in complete isolation.
in complete isolation.
182
664344
3968
它也在这黑暗的与世隔绝之地完成了进化。
11:20
And, really, everything that you can feel
in the cave are real connections
in the cave are real connections
183
668336
4253
说真的，你在洞中所感受到的，
11:24
between the biological
and the mineralogical world.
and the mineralogical world.
184
672613
3040
是生物世界和矿物世界的真实联系。
11:28
So as we explore this dark continent
185
676544
5816
因此，当我们在探索这片黑暗的大陆时，
11:34
and discover its mineralogical
and biological diversity and uniqueness,
and biological diversity and uniqueness,
186
682384
6404
在不断发现它在矿物学
和生物学上的多样性和独特性时，
和生物学上的多样性和独特性时，
11:40
we will find probably clues
about the origin of life on our planet
about the origin of life on our planet
187
688812
4369
我们很有可能找到
地球生命起源的线索，
地球生命起源的线索，
11:45
and on the relationship
and evolution of life
and evolution of life
188
693205
2977
弄清楚生命进化
11:48
in relationship with the mineral world.
189
696206
2986
与矿物世界之间的联系。
11:51
What seems only a dark, empty environment
190
699216
3942
看似漆黑一片，空无一物的环境，
11:55
could be in reality a chest of wonders
191
703182
2793
有可能充满奇迹
11:57
full of useful information.
192
705999
2480
包含许多有用的信息。
12:02
With a team of Italian, Venezuelan
and Brazilian speleologists,
and Brazilian speleologists,
193
710102
3873
我们组建了一支由意大利、委内瑞拉
和巴西的洞穴学家组成的队伍，
和巴西的洞穴学家组成的队伍，
12:05
which is called La Venta Teraphosa,
194
713999
3191
名叫“La Venta Teraphosa”，
12:09
we will be back soon to Latin America,
195
717214
2068
我们将很快返回拉丁美洲，
12:11
because we want to explore other tepuis
in the farthest areas of the Amazon.
in the farthest areas of the Amazon.
196
719306
5448
因为我们要前往亚马孙流域深处
探索其他的特普伊山。
探索其他的特普伊山。
12:16
There are still very unknown mountains,
197
724778
3020
（那里）还有很多未被探索过的山脉，
12:19
like Marahuaca, which is almost
3,000 meters high above sea level,
3,000 meters high above sea level,
198
727822
4694
比如马拉瓦卡山，海拔将近3000米，
12:24
or Aracà, which is in the upper region
of Rio Negro in Brazil.
of Rio Negro in Brazil.
199
732540
4099
还有阿拉卡山，位于巴西内格罗河上游。
12:28
And we suppose that we could find there
even bigger cave systems,
even bigger cave systems,
200
736663
4919
我们认为可以在那里
发现更大规模的洞穴系统，
发现更大规模的洞穴系统，
12:33
and each one with its own
undiscovered world.
undiscovered world.
201
741606
4688
而每一个洞穴里
都藏有一个未知的世界。
都藏有一个未知的世界。
12:38
Thank you.
202
746636
1174
谢谢大家。
12:39
(Applause)
203
747834
5454
（掌声）
12:45
Bruno Giussani: Thank you, Francesco.
Give me that to start so we don't forget.
Give me that to start so we don't forget.
204
753312
3737
布鲁诺·吉萨尼：谢谢，弗朗西斯科。
给我们带来一个这么难忘的演讲。
给我们带来一个这么难忘的演讲。
12:49
Francesco, you said we don't need
to go to Mars to find alien life,
to go to Mars to find alien life,
205
757073
3838
弗朗西斯科，你刚才说到，
我们不用去火星寻找外星生命，
我们不用去火星寻找外星生命，
12:52
and indeed, last time we spoke,
you were in Sardinia
you were in Sardinia
206
760935
2925
实际上，上次咱们
见面的时候，你在撒丁岛，
见面的时候，你在撒丁岛，
12:55
and you were training European astronauts.
207
763884
2243
训练欧洲的宇航员。
12:58
So what do you, a speleologist,
tell and teach to the astronauts?
tell and teach to the astronauts?
208
766151
3474
作为一个洞穴学家，
你具体教宇航员什么东西呢？
你具体教宇航员什么东西呢？
13:01
Francesco Sauro: Yeah, we are --
it's a program of training
it's a program of training
209
769649
2783
弗朗西斯科·绍罗：没错，是在撒丁岛，
这项训练不仅针对欧洲宇航员，
这项训练不仅针对欧洲宇航员，
13:04
for not only European, but also NASA,
Roskosmos, JAXA astronauts, in a cave.
Roskosmos, JAXA astronauts, in a cave.
210
772456
4901
还有来自美国、俄罗斯、
日本的航空航天机构的宇航员。
日本的航空航天机构的宇航员。
13:09
So they stay in a cave
for about one week in isolation.
for about one week in isolation.
211
777381
3528
他们要在洞穴中与世隔绝地待一星期。
13:12
They have to work together
in a real, real dangerous environment,
in a real, real dangerous environment,
212
780933
3880
他们必须在十分危险的环境中开展合作，
13:16
and it's a real alien environment for them
because it's unusual.
because it's unusual.
213
784837
3810
对他们而言那就是外星环境，
因为那里非同寻常。
因为那里非同寻常。
13:20
It's always dark. They have to do science.
They have a lot of tasks.
They have a lot of tasks.
214
788671
4304
周围总是漆黑一片，而他们要开展科研工作，
完成各种各样的任务。
完成各种各样的任务。
13:24
And it's very similar to a journey to Mars
215
792999
2532
这一情况跟前往火星，
13:27
or the International Space Station.
216
795555
1672
或者前往国际空间站很类似。
13:29
BG: In principle.
FS: Yes.
FS: Yes.
217
797251
1259
BG：从理论上讲（很类似）。
FS：没错。
FS：没错。
13:30
BG: I want to go back
to one of the pictures
to one of the pictures
218
798534
2077
BG：我想再看一张图片，
13:32
that was in your slide show,
219
800635
1833
刚刚在你的幻灯片里出现过，
13:34
and it's just representative
of the other photos --
of the other photos --
220
802492
2389
我觉得它很有代表性
13:36
Weren't those photos amazing? Yeah?
221
804905
2298
这些照片都非常美？对吗？
13:39
Audience: Yeah!
222
807227
1158
观众：没错！
13:40
(Applause)
223
808409
3736
（掌声）
13:44
FS: I have to thank the photographers
from the team La Venta,
from the team La Venta,
224
812169
3126
FS：这要感谢La Venta团队里的摄影师，
13:47
because all of those photos
are from the photographers.
are from the photographers.
225
815319
3773
这些美丽的照片都是出自他们之手。
13:51
BG: You bring, actually, photographers
with you in the expedition.
with you in the expedition.
226
819116
3702
BG：你们的探险队伍里还有摄影师。
13:54
They're professionals,
they're speleologists and photographers.
they're speleologists and photographers.
227
822842
2967
他们是专业人士，
既是洞穴学家，又是摄影师。
既是洞穴学家，又是摄影师。
13:57
But when I look at these pictures,
I wonder: there is zero light down there,
I wonder: there is zero light down there,
228
825833
4900
但是我在看这些照片的时候，
我在想，洞里面几乎没有任何光线，
我在想，洞里面几乎没有任何光线，
14:02
and yet they look incredibly well-exposed.
229
830757
2783
而这些照片看起来曝光得非常好。
14:05
How do you take these pictures?
230
833564
1488
是怎么做到的？
14:07
How do your colleagues,
the photographers, take these pictures?
the photographers, take these pictures?
231
835076
3051
你的同事们，那些摄影师，
他们是怎么拍出来的？
他们是怎么拍出来的？
14:10
FS: Yeah. They are working
in a darkroom, basically,
in a darkroom, basically,
232
838151
2491
FS：没错。他们基本上
像是在暗房里工作，
像是在暗房里工作，
14:12
so you can open the shutter of the camera
233
840666
2119
你可以打开相机的快门
14:14
and use the lights
to paint the environment.
to paint the environment.
234
842809
2418
利用光线来拍摄周围的环境。
14:17
BG: So you're basically --
235
845251
1255
BG：就像这样——
14:18
FS: Yes. You can even keep
the shutter open for one minute
the shutter open for one minute
236
846530
2735
FS：没错。你可以将快门打开，
甚至一分钟那么久
甚至一分钟那么久
14:21
and then paint the environment.
237
849289
1524
然后拍摄周围的环境。
14:22
The final result is what
you want to achieve.
you want to achieve.
238
850837
2704
最后就能得到你想要的效果。
14:25
BG: You spray the environment with light
and that's what you get.
and that's what you get.
239
853565
3073
BG：你用光线来拍摄环境，
就能得到这些照片。
就能得到这些照片。
14:28
Maybe we can try this at home
someday, I don't know.
someday, I don't know.
240
856662
2442
也许哪天我们可以在家试试。
（笑声）
14:31
(Laughter)
241
859128
1004
BG：弗朗西斯科，谢谢。
FS：谢谢。
FS：谢谢。
14:32
BG: Francesco, grazie.
FS: Grazie.
FS: Grazie.
242
860156
1591
14:33
(Applause)
243
861771
3228
（掌声）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Francesco Sauro - SpeleologistFrancesco Sauro studies caves and other karst features, and his research takes him places no one has ever been before.
Why you should listen
Italian speleologist Francesco Sauro is fascinated by the tabletop mountains of South America, the tepuis. These plateaus, which tower over the Brazilian and Venezuelan rainforest, hide behind their dramatic landscape a lost world of extensive cave structures. They harbor unique geological and biological features that have evolved in isolation over millennia.
With nearly twenty years of caving experience, Sauro has participated in research in many cave systems all over the world, but keeps coming back to the tepuis, where he has led six expeditions since 2009. He leads also a caves training program for European astronauts.
Francesco Sauro | Speaker | TED.com