Researchers from numerous universities from around the world have discovered three underwater volcanoes off the southwest coast of Sicily during a weeks-long deep-sea mission, though they are unsure if they are active.
The recently discovered volcanoes are at least 6 km broad and rise more than 150 m above the surrounding bottom, according to scientists, as reported by The Guardian.
They join a number of additional volcanic cones that the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) found in 2019 in the sea between the towns of Sciacca and Mazara del Vallo in the Sicilian province of Trapani.
Uncertainty About the Newly-Found Underwater Volcanoes
The discovery reveals previously undiscovered seafloor. Surprisingly, despite thousands of years of navigation in the Mediterranean, little is known about its seafloor.
The effort, which was carried out on board the German ship Meteor, was finished a few days ago, and it involved scanning the previously uncharted seabed along the Sicily Channel between July 16 and August 5.
It further mentioned that scientists had gathered geological samples, including lava deposits, for later analysis.
Hydrothermal activity was observed by researchers, however, it is too soon to say whether or not these volcanoes are active. Prior to doing so, they must examine their rocks and understand the high-resolution seismic profiles that have been recorded nearby.
A 100 x 17-meter shipwreck was also found during the trip on the so-called Nameless Bank (Banco Senza Nome), which is located halfway between the volcanic island of Linosa and Sicily.
Even though underwater eruptions sometimes go unobserved, it is estimated that more than 1 million volcanoes are submerged and that they account for 80 percent of all volcanic activity worldwide.
Read also: Scientists Discover Underwater Volcano in Australia The Eye of Sauron, After the Dark Lord of Mordor
The Unexplored Underwater Volcanoes
The ocean floor is a vast and largely unexplored place. Scientists estimate that only about 20 percent of the ocean floor has been mapped in detail. This means that there are millions of square kilometers of ocean floor that we know very little about.
One of the most mysterious features of the ocean floor is underwater volcanoes. Underwater volcanoes are volcanoes that form beneath the surface of the ocean. They can be active or extinct, and they can range in size from small seamounts to large mountains.
They can create new landmasses, they can affect ocean currents and climate, and they can be a source of mineral resources. They can also be dangerous, as they can erupt without warning and cause tsunamis and other hazards.
The vast majority of underwater volcanoes are unexplored. This is because they are difficult and expensive to study. However, scientists are working to learn more about these mysterious features of the ocean floor. They are using a variety of methods to study underwater volcanoes, including satellite imagery, sonar, and underwater robots.
Related article: Seafloor Sensors Detect Eruption of Underwater Volcano
