Scientists went deep into the ocean, only then they saw a ‘yellow brick road’
Nautilus was seen while surveying the Liliʻuokalani ridge within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Let us tell you that Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) is considered one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world. It is larger than all the marine conservation areas in the US, of which only 3 percent have been investigated by scientists. Researchers from the Ocean Exploration Trust are busy exploring the boundaries of this forest, which is located more than 3,000 meters below the surface of the ocean, and the best part is that anyone can watch this exploration. Soon after the discovery on YouTube, its video was shared in the year 2022. In this video, a highlight reel captured the moment when the deep-sea vehicle researchers reached the road to Oz.
The voice of the scientists can be clearly heard in the radio coming in the video. A researcher says on the radio, “This is the way to Atlantis.” Then the answer comes from the other side, “The road with yellow bricks?” Another member of the team said, “This is strange.” By the way, you will be surprised to know, but let us tell you that despite being located about a thousand meters below the sea, the bottom of the lake discovered by the researchers at the peak of Nootka Seamount looks surprisingly dry. On the radio, the team told that the ground looks almost like a “baked layer”, which can be peeled. After a while, they also break that rock and show it. The description of the video reads, ‘What may seem like a “yellow brick road” to the mythical city of Atlantis is actually an example of ancient active volcanic geology! Our team has seen incredibly unique and fascinating geological formations while diving on the Liliuokalani Ridge.’
Notably, scientists are studying the microbial communities living within the ferromanganese crust found on the rock surfaces. Also, how the properties of the crust vary from region to region in ocean basins and the microorganisms living on and within them also change. These studies will help provide baseline information about the living communities of seamounts that can inform management and conservation measures. Investigators believe that the unique 90-degree cracks are probably related to the heating and cooling stresses generated by the many eruptions that occurred on this baked margin. At first glance, this effect can easily be interpreted as a path to an amazing new world and it is not entirely wrong. Walking on a path made of bricks is a sign that we are moving in the right direction and will soon be able to know a lot about the hidden geology of the Earth.
