While exploring the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, a group of scientists came across something very unusual: a mysterious golden object.
A Spooky Discovery
On August 30, a team of scientists from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was exploring an underwater volcano 250 miles (402 km) off the coast of Alaska. Two miles (3 km) beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean, they found a strange orb-like object burrowed into the side of the undersea structure.
The discovery has mystified scientists who are currently mapping the seafloor of the Gulf of Alaska as part of the agency's latest Seascape Alaska 5 expedition. The discovery was witnessed by the public since the mission was shown on live stream.
Coming across an eerie egg at the foot of an ancient underwater volcano is spooky enough on its own. The explorers got even extra shocked upon discovering that the orb had a perplexing hole in it, as if something had burrowed its way through. As one researcher observed in a live feed, "Something tried to get in...or to get out."
While debating about the nature of the egg, the scientists made funny references from X-Files to classic monster movies. They also had other guesses that it could be a leftover egg casing or remnants of a dead sea sponge. Ultimately, NOAA scientists decided that they would need to obtain a sample of the orb to examine its DNA and confirm its apparent origin.
The team used one of the robotic arms of the robotic vehicle for sample collection. To their relief, nothing came out of the egg when they decided to poke it. When it was tickled by the robot's hand, the orb turned out to be quite delicate, less like gelatin and more like silk. It was then suctioned up through a tube and will soon undergo further inspection in the laboratory.
Goals of Seascape Alaska 5 Expedition
The dive is part of the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition, a focused mapping and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations of NOAA. It started August 24 in Kodiak, Alaska and will conclude on September 16 in Seward, Alaska.
The mission aims to fill gaps in our understanding of the region by exploring deep waters greater than 656 feet (200 meters) for mapping operations and 820 feet (250 meters) for ROV operations. It also aims to reach U.S. waters, the high seas, and Canadian waters off Alaska.
The planning and execution of ROV dives during the expedition will be based on mapping operations. The NOAA team will follow a map and dive approach due to the shortage of mapping data in the region. This approach involves collection of mapping data the night before a dive to serve as guide for the path of the ROV on a dive that will take place in the following morning.
The mapping data will also be useful in informing future exploration efforts and in establishing a baseline assessment of the ocean environment. Additionally, it can increase our understanding of marine ecosystems and strengthen public awareness of environmental issues involving the oceans.
RELATED ARTICLE: Tonga Underwater Volcano Erupts Again; Satellite Images, NOAA Report Reveal Eruption is 7X More Powerful Than the Last Outburst
Check out more news and information on NOAA in Science Times.
