In 2022, researchers aboard the E/V Nautilus made a discovery on the floor of the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. While surveying the Liliʻuokalani Ridge in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Nautilus exploration vessel found a geological formation on the seafloor resembling a yellow brick road. The formation appeared as an ancient dried lake bed, described by the Nautilus team as a baked layer that almost seems peelable, resembling a road paved with yellow bricks.
In a video capturing the moment, one of the researchers exclaimed over the wireless, "It's the road to Atlantis," while another added, "The yellow brick road?". A third member aboard the Nautilus simply said, "This is strange".
The unique seafloor formation bears an uncanny resemblance to an artificially constructed road, with its straight edges and uniform fractures. However, geologists later analyzed the formation and determined that the brick-like patterns were not the work of an ancient civilization but rather the result of natural volcanic processes. According to the researchers, the formation's 90-degree fractures were a direct result of repeated heating and cooling from subsequent lava flows.
In this area, volcanic rock formations had fractured into near-perfect rectangular shapes, creating the illusion of a man-made road. The volcanic rock, likely hyaloclastite, was formed when lava rapidly cooled upon contact with water, causing it to shatter into fragments. This process, known as columnar jointing, is the same phenomenon responsible for creating landscapes like the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and Devils Postpile in California.
The discovery of the yellow brick road formation carries scientific importance beyond its appearance. Understanding how lava cools and fractures underwater could provide clues about the formation of other deep-sea features, including underwater ridges, volcanic arcs, and oceanic crust formation. The unique seafloor patterns provide a natural laboratory for studying volcanic activity and tectonic processes in the deep ocean.
The Liliʻuokalani Ridge, located within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is one of the least-explored deep-sea regions on Earth. According to News18, the monument itself is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world, covering an area of 582,578 square miles, larger than all US national parks combined. Less than 3% of the monument's seafloor was mapped and explored by scientists.
The discovery was part of a broader seafloor mapping and geological analysis mission led by researchers aboard the E/V Nautilus, a vessel operated by the Ocean Exploration Trust. Using advanced sonar and remotely operated vehicles, researchers uncovered hidden geological structures. The Ocean Exploration Trust broadcasts its findings live, allowing anyone to witness these discoveries.
The expedition focused on seafloor mapping and the study of ancient underwater volcanoes. Each dive offers a glimpse into the unknown, paving the way for a greater understanding of the planet's underwater ecosystems. The discovery within the Liliʻuokalani Ridge emphasizes the importance of continued exploration of the ocean.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.