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Newly Discovered Volcanic 'Lost World' Is a Haven For Marine Life (gizmodo.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Gizmodo: Australian scientists have discovered a previously unknown chain of volcanic seamounts near Tasmania. The area appears to be brimming with marine life, including a surprising number of whales who may be using the undersea volcanoes as a navigational tool. The volcanic chain was discovered by scientists from the Australian National University and CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, while on a 25-day mission aboard the research vessel Investigator to conduct detailed seafloor maps of the region. The undersea volcanoes are about 250 miles (400 kilometers) east of Tasmania, and they're quite deep.
The tallest of the seamounts extends 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) from the seafloor, so they're not tiny. It's hard to believe that something so large has gone undetected for so long, but our oceans are notoriously understudied. A mere 20 percent of Earth's oceans has been explored, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [T]he seamounts appeared to serve as a kind of mid-ocean oasis for a host of marine organisms. In addition to finding copious amounts of plankton in the area, the researchers observed various seabirds and a surprising number of whales. The volcanic seamounts, the researchers say, are likely important stopping points for migratory animals, particularly whales, who rely on seafloor structures for navigation. The volcanoes are likely serving as important signposts as the whales travel from their winter breeding areas to summer feeding grounds, the researchers say.
The tallest of the seamounts extends 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) from the seafloor, so they're not tiny. It's hard to believe that something so large has gone undetected for so long, but our oceans are notoriously understudied. A mere 20 percent of Earth's oceans has been explored, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [T]he seamounts appeared to serve as a kind of mid-ocean oasis for a host of marine organisms. In addition to finding copious amounts of plankton in the area, the researchers observed various seabirds and a surprising number of whales. The volcanic seamounts, the researchers say, are likely important stopping points for migratory animals, particularly whales, who rely on seafloor structures for navigation. The volcanoes are likely serving as important signposts as the whales travel from their winter breeding areas to summer feeding grounds, the researchers say.
...what the heck does this have to do with Climate Change?
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Table-ized A.I.
A mere 20 percent of Earth's oceans has been explored, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Well maybe if you'd actually choose one of either water or air to focus on, NOAA, you'd actually get something done.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Anyone who worships at a moron's altar is a FUCKING MORON.
Hopefully the Australian Navy protects this whale sanctuary from Japanese Whalers.
The military will have already mapped this out. They need it mapped for sub navigation and underwater warfare. Thing is, these maps are considered secret so there is no sharing with the scientific community.
Ooh. A pristine ecosystem with untold variety and ecological value. Let's do what humans do best - wreck it then deny.
Looks like they found -40.389486, 153.292389, which you can look up in Google Maps (and probably many other online maps) and see the mounts there.
Can i grab more information regarding this topic?
I worry when this kind of information is presented in the public forum because before you know it the Japanese fisherman will be there hunting whales for 'scientific purposes'. Greenpeace can screw around, but the hunting is the real danger, which will wipe out the species before climate change could cause it..
Don't tell the Japanese where the whales hang out
Good news for the Japs. They'll clean those whales out of there in a flash.
I can imagine there are now fleets of vessels from Norway and Japan en-route to do "scientific research"...mainly into how whale meat tastes.
The Australien Government also just released this ad about the "Great Australian Bight and it's surprisingly honest and informative."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
More whales for scientists (and the Japanese) to do 'research' on!
Are there some funky 70s people down there, who fell down a waterfall on a raft?
WTF?
Pirate Chinese factory ships will start showing up on the coast of Tasmania shortly.