1. What is Atlantis One?

Atlantis One is an underwater research facility that is currently being built in the Great Blue Hole on the Belize Barrier Reef. It is going to be a 3 level structure that will be home to approximately 10 scientists during periods of research. It is in the shape of a cylinder and neutrally buoyant, held down at its depth with weights. For more information, please visit the station portion of the web site.

2. Where is Atlantis One being constructed?

The final location of Atlantis One is in the Great Blue Hole on the Belize Barrier Reef although it may, due to environmental reasons, be constructed elsewhere and then transported here. This location was chosen to help the scientists study sedimentation that is a phenomenon of the Great Blue Hole.

3. Who is building Atlantis One?

The Atlantis One Research Station is being designed by freshman students at MIT. The project is a 'freshman seminar,' which is a special type of class to help us get aquainted with MIT life.

4. For what purpose is the facility going to be used?

The Atlantis One facility is going to be used to help people better understand the sedimentation that occurs in the ocean. Research of the reef, as well, may yield important information about the history of the ocean and might also shed some light on the possible futures of the world's reefs. Studies on the invertebrates living in the Blue Hole which, being defenseless, often have chemical defenses, may lead to medicinal discoveries and a possible cure for illnesses such as cancer or AIDs. For more information, please visit the research portion of the web site.

5. What effect will Atlantis One have on the environment?

One goal of the Atlantis One Research Facility is to have as low an impact as possible on the environment of the reef. The designers of the unit are attempting to make as little change to the reef as possible. The purpose of studying the reef is to help humans learn more about the environment, not to destroy more of it.

6. Who will have access to the facility?

Access to the facility will be vary limited. Scientists doing research on the station and VIPs from the facility's major sponsors will be the only people permitted on the station. Due to health and safety concerns no more than 10 people will be at the station at the same time.

7. Who is funding the project?

We have contacted various public grant-giving organizations as well as researched and contacted numerous private corporations who have donated to projects similar to the Atlantis One Projects. For more information please visit the public relations portion of the web site.