Scientists have discovered what might be a giant underwater volcano beneath the Arctic Ocean.
The finding was made 1,600 meters below the surface by researchers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Healy, as they mapped the seafloor near Alaska in the northwestern United States. A gas plume rising from the site was detected, but experts say it poses no danger to people due to its depth.
“This discovery is exciting and provides a glimpse into the mysteries beneath the ocean’s surface,” said Captain Meghan McGovern of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Healy, the Coast Guard’s only icebreaker designed for research, was joined by NOAA scientists from the ship Fairweather. Together, they were conducting the Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study.
The study’s main goal is to help ships safely navigate the Arctic waters by avoiding collisions with each other or hidden underwater obstacles. Finding an underwater volcano was an unexpected bonus, showing how much remains unexplored beneath the ocean. Scientists hope this discovery will lead to more studies about the mysterious Arctic seafloor.
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