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Yellow brick road discovered at bottom of the ocean

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Deep-sea researchers have discovered a yellow brick road at the bottom of the ocean. (Ocean Exploration Trust via NOAA)

By Dean Murray via SWNS

Deep-sea researchers have discovered a yellow brick road at the bottom of the ocean.

The crew of Exploration Vessel Nautilus spotted the incredible rock formation while exploring in Hawaii.

They explained: “What may look like a "yellow brick road" to the mythical city of Atlantis is really an example of ancient active volcanic geology!

“Our Corps of Exploration have witnessed incredibly unique and fascinating geological formations while diving on the Liliʻuokalani Ridge within Papahānaumokuakea Marine National Monument.”

Deep-sea researchers have discovered a yellow brick road at the bottom of the ocean. (Ocean Exploration Trust via NOAA)
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“At the summit of Nootka Seamount, the team spotted a "dried lake bed" formation, now IDed as a fractured flow of hyaloclastite rock (a volcanic rock formed in high-energy eruptions where many rock fragments settle to the seabed).

“The unique 90-degree fractures are likely related to heating and cooling stress from multiple eruptions at this baked margin. Throughout the seamount chain, the team also sampled basalts coated with ferromanganese (iron-manganese) crusts from across different depths and oxygen saturations as well as an interesting-looking pumice rock that almost resembled a sponge.”

This observation was made during Ocean Exploration Trust's Expedition NA138 to explore the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM), in partnership with the NOAA Ocean Exploration and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

An E/V Nautilus spokesperson added: “Our exploration of this never-before-surveyed area is helping researchers take a deeper look at life on and within the rocky slopes of these deep, ancient seamounts.

“These studies will help provide baseline information on the living communities of seamounts which can inform management and conservation measures.”

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