Recently, a group of researchers was exploring the ocean floor. These researchers stumbled upon a formation on the forest floor that looked like something out of a fairy tale – or perhaps from a lost world. They found what looks like the yellow brick road… or the road to the Lost City of Atlantis. Check out the video and hear what the scientists have to say about their discovery.
Researchers Discover The ‘Road To Atlantis’ On The Bottom Of The Ocean Floor
A team of oceanographers set out last month to explore the floor of a previously uncharted part of the Pacific Ocean. They got on board the EV Nautilus and set off exploring as part of the Ocean Exploration Trust. They set up a 24/7 live stream on board to show off what they are seeing and discovering on their journey. (1)
It is part of an expedition called Luʻuaeaahikiikekumu (Luʻu-a-ea-a-hiki-i-ke-kumu) that aims to explore the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM), a U.S. marine conservation area in the North Pacific Ocean outside of Hawaii. Until now, only three percent of the ocean floor there has been mapped. The researchers are there to further map out this section of the ocean.
Strange Geological Formations
Last week, something appeared on the live stream that even had the researchers surprised. They discovered a series of geological formations that looked like, well, a brick road. The researchers couldn’t hold back their amazement. You can hear them talking about it over the live stream.
“It’s the road to Atlantis,” said one.
“That’s a really unique structure,” said another.
While one researcher seemed to liken it to the road to Atlantis, another had another fantasy roadway in mind.
“This is the yellow brick road,” they said.
“Are you kidding me? This is crazy,” a fourth exclaimed.
Not The Road To Atlantis
Of course, the scientists were quick to point out that, as fun, as it is to think about, this is not an actual road paved by humans. What this is is a very unique geological formation. They said that it is actually volcanic rock fractured over the course of the heating and cooling of nearby eruptions. This is what they wrote on the YouTube caption of the video.
They saw the formation at the summit of Nootka Seamount. This is an underwater mountain formed by volcanic activity over a thousand meters below the surface of the ocean. The scientists identified the formation as hyaloclastite. This is a type of glassy rock formed by the cooling of lava that has been in contact with water or ice.
Not The Research Team’s Only Finding
While this was certainly one of the most shocking discoveries the team of scientists has made on this journey, it wasn’t the only one. Thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface, they have seen many incredible things. These include sea pigs, sea stars eating coral, and dancing sea cucumbers.
You can follow along their incredible journey and hear all of their genuine reactions live on YouTube. If the bottom of the seafloor is something that interests you, then this will definitely be something you will want to keep tabs on.
- “Bizarre ‘Road to Atlantis’ Discovered In Unexplored Part of Pacific Ocean.” Vice. Audrey Carleton. May 9, 2022.
- “Eerie ‘yellow brick road’ to Atlantis discovered atop ancient undersea mountain” Live Science. May 11, 2022.