Washington, DC – Never before seen underwater findings that could help determine how one of the most violent volcanic eruptions ever recorded impacted Ancient Bronze Age civilizations – possibly inspiring the legend of the Lost City of Atlantis – is the focus of a live satellite interaction with oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard to the first-ever Conference on Ocean Literacy on Thursday, June 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Ronald Regan Building in Washington, DC.

Most notably known for discovering the Titanic, Ballard’s current expedition is trying to locate lost artifacts and ancient trade routes as well as examine various layers of the volcanic deposits on the ocean floor around the Greek island of Thera (Santorini). Ballard and his team will use the latest deep-sea exploration technology to peer inside a submarine volcano and collect geologic samples, and they will transmit recent underwater photos and video images to participants in Washington.

The live interaction is part of the two day conference, highlighting best practices and exploring opportunities to increase public knowledge and understanding of the ocean and its connection to people and the places where they live, work, play and learn. Through his latest deep-sea expedition, Ballard will showcase how ocean exploration can be used as a learning tool to teach students critical science and math skills. Ballard will also discuss how ocean literacy can help raise awareness to the threats to the health of our oceans.

“Our oceans are vastly unexplored, and the depth of resources they give us is unimaginable. By exposing students to the possibilities of our oceans, we can motivate them to become tomorrow’s oceanographers, scientists or engineers, and in turn, help our nation better compete in the global economy. There is a critical need to keep the country at the top of the economic ladder so we can maintain our standard of living. This goes to the heart of President Bush’s American Competitiveness Initiative, which he laid out in the State of the Union address. Oceans are valuable in this task,” said Ballard.

The conference is coordinated by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, in conjunction with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Sponsors include the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Navy.