Scientists working with the U.S. Coast Guard have discovered a 1,640-foot-tall structure that resembles an underwater volcano off the coast of Alaska. The structure, found during a mission aboard the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaker “Healy,” is located in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. While it is still uncertain whether the structure is indeed a volcano, researchers are analyzing data collected from the water above it to determine if it is spewing gas.
The discovery was made during the first leg of Healy’s mission, which is part of the Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study (Arctic PARS) area along the north coast of Alaska. This study aims to assess the potential for new shipping routes along the U.S. Arctic coast. The second and third legs of the mission will involve early career scientists conducting various ocean-based research activities to enhance understanding of these remote areas.
According to Meghan McGovern, the commanding officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) “Fairweather” ship, the findings are exciting and provide insight into the unknown depths of the ocean in this region. However, the datasets from the mission won’t be available for a few more weeks, so there is limited information about the new structure at this time.
Tim Orr, a volcanologist and research geologist at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, mentioned that the general area where the structure was found is not known for young volcanoes. He suggested that the gas detected above the structure could be related to processes other than volcanism, such as a deep-buried hydrocarbon reservoir. While there are submarine volcanoes in Alaska, they are typically located in areas with known volcanic activity, unlike the feature discovered by the Healy.
The ongoing research and exploration in the Arctic seas provide valuable opportunities for scientists to expand their knowledge of these remote and little-explored areas. Further analysis of the data collected during the mission will help determine the nature of the newly discovered underwater structure and its significance in the region. Stay tuned for more updates as researchers continue to unravel the mysteries hidden beneath the ocean’s surface.
Sascha, a trainee staff writer at Live Science, highlighted the importance of such discoveries in advancing scientific understanding and exploration. She emphasized the collaborative efforts of researchers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other organizations in uncovering the secrets of the ocean depths. As researchers delve deeper into these uncharted waters, they are poised to make groundbreaking discoveries that could reshape our understanding of the natural world.
