loader image

Tue, Apr 01 | 9:02 pm

Oceanographers Discover Massive Underwater Mountain Taller Than Mount Olympus

by | Sep 3, 2024

A team of oceanographers, led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, has discovered a colossal underwater mountain in the Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles (1,448 kilometers) off the coast of Chile. Standing at an impressive 1.9 miles (3,109 meters) tall, the newly mapped seamount surpasses the height of Mount Olympus in Greece and is nearly four times the height of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The discovery was made during a 28-day expedition aboard the R/V Falkor (too) research vessel. Using advanced sonar technology, researchers mapped the seafloor by measuring the time it took for sound waves to bounce back from the seabed, revealing the mountain’s towering presence. This expedition highlights the vastness of the unexplored ocean, as only 26% of the seafloor has been mapped to such high resolution, despite covering 71% of Earth’s surface.

The seamount is part of a vibrant underwater mountain range rich in marine biodiversity, including sponge gardens, ancient corals, and rare species. During their exploration, the team used an underwater robot to document several extraordinary creatures, such as a ghostly white Casper octopus, which was observed in the southern Pacific for the first time. They also recorded the first-ever footage of a live Promachoteuthis squid, previously known only from a few collected specimens.

Among the highlights were the sightings of two rare Bathyphysa siphonophores, also known as “flying spaghetti monsters” due to their string-like appearance. The discoveries were part of the research vessel’s third expedition to the Nazca Ridge, a region poised to become the world’s first high seas marine protected area under a new UN treaty.

The Schmidt Ocean Institute’s efforts contribute significantly to the Ocean Census, a global initiative aiming to catalog 100,000 unknown marine species within the next decade, enhancing our understanding and conservation of deep-sea ecosystems.

0 Comments

text

 

 

 

 

 

 

text

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Posts

China Dares Trump with War Drills Around Taiwan

China Dares Trump with War Drills Around Taiwan

In a bold and calculated show of force, China has launched massive military drills encircling Taiwan from "multiple directions," a move widely seen as a direct challenge to U.S. influence in the Asia-Pacific and a test of Washington’s commitment to the self-governed...

Relief Efforts Struggle Amid Chaos in Earthquake-Hit Myanmar

Relief Efforts Struggle Amid Chaos in Earthquake-Hit Myanmar

In the wake of the catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, international and local aid organizations are racing against time to deliver life-saving supplies to thousands left homeless, injured, and without basic necessities. As the...

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Plans Comeback Under New Ownership

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Plans Comeback Under New Ownership

Hooters, the iconic restaurant chain known for its wings and waitresses in bright orange shorts, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy—but insists the brand isn’t folding. The company announced the move on Monday, March 31, 2025, revealing plans to sell all 100 of its...

McIlroy Joins Elite Company with $100M PGA Tour Earnings

McIlroy Joins Elite Company with $100M PGA Tour Earnings

Rory McIlroy has officially joined one of the most exclusive clubs in professional golf. The Northern Irishman became just the second player in PGA Tour history to earn over $100 million in career prize money, following in the footsteps of golf legend Tiger Woods....