Magazine

He found the Titanic, but for Robert Ballard the search never ends

Over six decades, his deep-sea expeditions have used technology and intuition to reveal a bounty of cultural treasures.

Robert Ballard emerges from the submersible Alvin after a 1979 dive to the Galápagos Rift. Ballard’s push for direct visual observation of the deepest reaches of the ocean has led to momentous scientific and historic discoveries.

Photograph by Samuel W. Matthews

Published April 15, 2021

15 min read

An Explorer’s Life: Drawn from hours of never-before-seen footage, Bob Ballard: An Explorer’s Life will air June 14 at 10/9c on National Geographic.

This content is Subscriber-Exclusive

You must have a National Geographic subscription to explore this article.

SUBSCRIBE NOWto get access to exclusive stories, plus a century of archives, photos, and videos. Already a subscriber?Sign In

He found the Titanic, but for Robert Ballard the search never ends

Read This Next

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Legal

Our Sites

Join Us

He found the Titanic, but for Robert Ballard the search never ends

Read This Next

AI can help you plan your next trip—if you know how to ask.

Did this mysterious human relative bury its dead?

This new birth control for cats doesn't require surgery

How the Zoot Suit Riots changed America

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Legal

Our Sites

Join Us

Follow us