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Fascinating discovery: 'Yellow brick road' found at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean surprises scientists and raises questions about its origin
An exploratory expedition to a submerged mountain range north of the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean uncovered an unusual discovery in 2022: an ancient dry lake bed that resembles a yellow brick road.
The surprising scene was recorded by ship Nautilus exploration vessel, which was conducting inspections in the Lili'uokalani Ridge, located within the vast Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) in the Pacific Ocean.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
O PMNM is considered one of the largest marine conservation areas in the planet, surpassing in size all the national parks in the United States combined. Despite this, only about 3% of its seabed has been explored to date.
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O Ocean Exploration Trust, organization dedicated to marine research, has been working to expand our knowledge of this remote and mysterious region, which lies more than 3.000 meters below the ocean's surface.
The project has attracted public attention by broadcasting its expeditions live, allowing anyone to follow the discoveries in real time.
The Encounter with the Road to Oz
In April 2022, a video with highlights of the expedition was published on YouTube, revealing the exact moment when the team operating a deep-sea exploration vehicle came across what appeared to be a paved road.
“This is the road to Atlantis,” one of the researchers exclaimed over the radio, followed by another team member’s response: “The yellow brick road?” The tone of surprise filled the communication with comments like “Are you kidding me? This is crazy.”
Despite the depth of approximately one thousand meters, the bedrock had a dry appearance and was marked by fractures that, in certain places, formed a pattern similar to bricks.
According to the video's caption, these 90-degree fractures likely arose due to thermal stress – a phenomenon caused by repeated heating and cooling in volcanic regions.
The scientific and cultural significance
While the images could suggest a path to a magical world, the reality behind the discovery has important geological implications.
The natural formation of the region's soil, with its right-angled fractures, indicates a past filled with intense volcanic activity. These formations help scientists better understand how geothermal processes shaped the seabed.
Beyond science, the discovery inspires a certain cultural fascination, reminiscent of the famous “yellow brick road” from the story of “The Wizard of Oz”. This demonstrates how the underwater world still holds mysteries that evoke both curiosity and wonder.
Implications for the future of marine exploration
The discovery of the “estrada” is just a small example of the vast exploration potential of the PMNM and other deep sea regions.
Following these clues and studying these formations could help unlock the secrets of Earth's geology, improving our understanding of the dynamics of underwater volcanic eruptions.
Therefore, each new expedition and live broadcast brings a dose of anticipation. With each discovery, be it a “yellow brick road” or an unusual new formation, we move towards a broader understanding of the oceans and the planet as a whole.
To view the training, watch the video below:
Hello. I just saw the post about the theory of the supposed yellow brick road, why didn't they film the whole thing, that is, until the end?…
Atlantis popular imagination or a story about flooding of the continent? Fact!