The mystery that has plagued scientists for 26 years has finally been solved. what’s next Titanic at the bottom of the sea, An elongated hill-shaped structure at a depth of 2,900 meters is a formation of volcanic origin.. It was originally thought that it might even be another sunken ship, but new investigations at the site have clarified its nature.
In 1996, a scientific team led by Paul Herny Nargeolet used sonar signals to identify an unknown formation in the area where the Titanic sank off the coast of Newfoundland (Canada) in the early 20th century. Two years later, another oceanographer, Oisín Fanning, confirmed the discovery of this structure, and it was named the Nargeolet-Fanning Ridge.
However, it wasn’t until a few months ago. Nargeolet had the opportunity to dive into the space and examine this underwater hill for himself. The results of the discovery were published by the Oceangate Expeditions organization.
According to the results obtained, What lies next to the Titanic is probably nothing more than a geological formation of basalt-based rocks of volcanic origin. Numerous life forms such as corals settled here, creating an unusually rich ecosystem. very deep, according to scientists.
“We didn’t know what we were going to discover. On sonar, it could have been anything, including the possibility of other debris. A long time ago I was looking for an opportunity to discover this large object seen in sonar. “Exploring this area and finding this fascinating volcanic formation full of life was incredible,” Nargeolet said in a statement.
Biodiversity explosion at great depths
OceanGate Expeditions Professor and Principal Scientist Steve W. Ross said for his part: “We are astounded by the diversity and density of sponges, bamboo corals, other cold-water corals, lobsters, and fish that thrive at a depth of 2,900 meters. in the North Atlantic Ocean.
“Exploring this previously unknown ecosystem also provides an opportunity to make a comparison between the marine biology of the Titanic and its surroundings. The diversity of life forms, density of life and overall ecosystems can differ between the deep artificial reef that formed the Titanic and this recently discovered natural ocean reef. The similarities and differences will help us better understand our deep-sea environments,” continues Ross.
The presence of biodiversity detected in the area was an enjoyable discovery for the team: “Scientists have always been surprised by how far sponges and corals spread across the ocean.. We are now running computer simulations to better understand this phenomenon, and I also hope these unexplored rocky areas will help explain how these animals dispersed over such long distances on the deep, muddy seafloor. Murray Roberts, another scientist involved in the discovery, says we need to share this information with the scientific community and governments to ensure these sensitive ecosystems receive the attention and protection they deserve.
OceanGate Expeditions’ research work in the region is expected to continue into 2023 to continue to unravel the mysteries of this magnificent underwater ecosystem.
For more information: https://oceangateexpeditions.com/nargeolet-fanning-ridge/
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