Unveiling the deep: massive underwater mountain dwarfing skyscrapers discovered
8:31 PM EST, November 24, 2023
Scientists are currently mapping the earth's oceans and stumbling upon several surprises. One such discovery is a large rock formation in the Pacific Ocean depths. This formation twice exceeds the height of the tallest skyscraper in the world, even though it remains unseen from ship decks.
Last summer, researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute embarked from Costa Rica to explore a rise in the eastern Pacific. This maritime region, located in international waters, retains an air of mystery, making it an intriguing geological area. Notably, this area is situated on the boundary of six tectonic plates, making it a highly interesting location for research. As it turned out, the expedition proved to be fruitful.
About 97 miles away from Guatemala's coastal waters lies a previously undiscovered enormous underwater mountain. The remainder of an extinct volcano, this vast mountain formed from the buildup of volcanic material over time. Spanning a height exceeding 9 miles and occupying an area approximately 5 square miles, the formation stands unnoticed.
Yet, it remains out of sight from a ship's deck, as the mountain's peak is around 1.5 miles below sea level. Scientists managed to spot it using data from satellites and multi-beam sonar technology.
Similar methods helped discover three hydrothermal vent fields in the mid-Atlantic ridge area this year. Besides, several unknown elevations and coral reefs near the Galapagos Islands were also identified using these tools.
Underwater mountains and mapping the world's oceans
This underwater mountain is a crucial piece of the puzzle that the Schmidt Ocean Institute aims to solve within this decade. Their primary goal is to create a comprehensive global map of the ocean floor. While the focus currently lies on the unexplored regions, the search for underwater mountains is a key aspect of this mission.
Satellite data indicate the existence of over 100 thousand underwater mountains yet to be confirmed. The location of these mountains holds significant implications for marine biology research.
Large parts of the sea floor are covered with loose, muddy sediment, making it difficult for deep-sea invertebrates to find suitable habitats. Hence, the slopes of these underwater mountains serve as a safe haven for deep-sea life. They are potentially home to colonies of corals and sponges yet to be discovered.
