Scientists working on a research ship in the Arctic Ocean may have discovered a giant underwater volcano. According to The Independent, the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Healy were working on a project to map the seafloor off the coast of Alaska when they found a new volcano-like formation deep in the ocean waters. The volcano-like structure sits more than 1,600 meters from the water’s surface and scientists have detected a possible gas plume rising from it. However, as the structure is so far under the water, it poses no threat to those on land. 

“These findings are exciting and offer insight into what may exist beneath the ocean’s surface, much of which is unknown in this region,” said Captain Meghan McGovern from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), per The Independent. 

The Cutter Healy is the Coast Guard’s only icebreaker designed to support research. The research teams included members from the National Science Foundation, the University of New Hampshire, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

The recent trip was part of a larger project called the Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study, which was enacted to evaluate the need for establishing vessel routing measures. The mission’s actual aim was to ensure that ships using these seas avoid clashes with other ships or underwater hazards.

The Healy has since returned to Seattle, Washington. It left Washington for Arctic deployment in June.

“It’s an honour supporting such diverse research missions in the northern high latitudes while working towards enhancing navigation safety in a region where soundings are sparse,” said the Healy’s Commanding Officer Captain Michele Schallip.

Also Read | Scientists Discover Ancient Volcanic Eruptions On Moon’s Far Side

“As scientific interest in the Arctic Ocean Basin grows, Healy is on the front-line providing access to the scientific community facilitating Arctic research opportunities while inspiring future chief scientists. Our crew remains committed to ensuring we are ready to meet the challenges unique to operating in the austere environment to see the completion of these vital missions,” he added. 

Underwater volcanoes, also known as submarine volcanoes or seamounts, do not produce the spectacular eruption events of some of their land counterparts, but undersea volcanic activity is a constant process that shapes the features of the ocean, per Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration. Some oceanographers estimate that there may be as many as one million volcanoes on the Pacific Ocean floor alone – roughly 750 times the number on dry land.

Stefan Ivanov, a banker and adventurer and his son Maxim pose for a picture on their boat “Neverest” before setting out on an expedition, in Haugesund, Norway, August 19, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Stefan Ivanov, a 52-year-old banker from Bulgaria, and his son Maxim, 21, celebrated their birthdays in August rowing across the Arctic Ocean with his son to appeal for protection of endangered ocean species.

After 33 days, the boat crossed the Arctic Ocean on Sunday (September 8), hoping to claim the record of being the first rowing boat to have accomplished the feat.

“We wanted to be the first rowing expedition across the entire Arctic Ocean and we started from Haugesund (Norway), which is south of the southern border of the ocean,” Stefan told Reuters. “I think we will be able to claim the record.”

The footage from the sailing trip showed waves and heavy winds, with the little boat swinging in the ocean. Stefan spent 33 days on the boat, while Maxim, a Stanford University student, joined later after finishing his internship in New York.

“It’s been a huge fight with (the) Arctic Ocean. It was not very collaborative, it was sending side winds, headwinds currents pushing us one way or the other,” Stefan said.

“Almost feels like being in a washing machine for weeks.”

Stefan and Maxim began building their own boat in 2019 to cross the ocean. They named it Neverest. “It is a play of words ‘Never rest until you reach Everest’,” Stefan said.

In 2020 Maxim at the age of 16 became the youngest rower to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean with his father.

“This is a hobby of ours, but we didn’t want to just let it be an end to it itself. We wanted to have some positive repercussions on the world if we can,” Stefan said, adding that they did it to promote a petition to designate new protected areas in the Southern Ocean to designate new protected areas in the Southern Ocean to conserve marine biodiversity.

“Journeys like this are reminder that even the small victories are victories and when the time gets tough every single step is a step forward no matter how small,” Maxim said.

“But sometimes those steps are very limited.”