6

In the Rifters Trilogy, is the Rifters' maximum survivable diving depth established?

The Rifters "Trilogy" comprises Starfish, Maelstrom, Behemoth: B-Max, and Behemoth:Seppuku by Peter Watts.

Improve this question
5

I checked the old Rifters website and found no mention of maximum depth, but there is information on the depth and pressure of the Channer Vent.

You're three kilometers below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

From the page about the Rifters themselves:

Here's the problem: the same conditions that make hydrothermal vents such hotbeds of geothermal energy also make them veritable deathtraps for anything born on the shallow side of 2000 meters. Seaquakes, thermal eruptions, and mudslides are common. Hydrostatic pressure is over three hundred times surface-normal.

There is a map of the Channer Vent on the site, and the depth legend goes to 4900 meters below sea level. I can't remember if any characters went to these particular parts of the rift, but if they did then we can defintely say they survived a depth of 4900 meters. Otherwise, we know for sure they were operating at a depth of at least 3000 meters.

Also, I'm just happy to see a Rifters question! I love that series.

Improve this answer
4
  • Is it ever stated what depth the Mid-Atlantic Ridge facility is? – erdiede Sep 23 '16 at 14:22
  • I don't have the book handy, so I'm not sure. The map ( rifters.com/starfish/location.jpg ) indicates it's around 3000 meters. – Paul Sep 23 '16 at 14:34
  • Keep in mind that Mid-Atlantic Ridge facility is Atlantis, which is Behemoth. Starfish is set at Channer Vent / Beebe station in the north Pacific. – erdiede Sep 27 '16 at 2:57
  • Ah, my mistake. I didn't realize you meant the location in Behemoth. The Behemoth excerpt on the site confirms that Atlantis is 3000 meters down. "Three thousand meters, three hundred atmospheres, three million kilograms per square meter have squeezed every last photon out of creation. Lenie Clarke is as blind as any dryback." – Paul Sep 27 '16 at 14:38
3

It's not spelled out anywhere, but since the Rifters' bodies have been modified to equalize internal and external pressure without killing them, the implication is that they have no maximum depth. I've read the first two books and don't recall any maximum depth ever being mentioned for the Rifters. This paragraph from Maelstrom is the only cite I can find for this, though.

Of course not. Let the surface-skimming tourists breathe from their clunky tanks, risking narcosis or the bends whenever they ventured too far from the surface. Let them suffer nightmares of exploding lungs and eyes marbling into clusters of fleshy bubbles. Rifters were immune to such worries. Inside Beebe Station, Lenie Clarke had breathed at sea-level; outside, she hadn’t breathed at all.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.