Scientists descend to 8,700 feet in the Atlantic and encounter an object that shouldn’t be there: “It really surprised us”

Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), the country’s leading agency for promoting science and technology, recently carried out an expedition in partnership with the University of Buenos Aires and the Schmidt Ocean Institute. During the mission, researchers made a surprising discovery on the Argentine seafloor: an intact VHS cassette resting approximately 8,660 feet below the surface, with a sea star attached to its exterior.

The VHS (Video Home System) was once the world’s most popular analog format for recording and playing back video and audio on magnetic tape. It dominated home entertainment throughout the 1980s and 1990s and has experienced a resurgence in recent years among collectors. When the research team encountered the tape in the deep ocean, they expressed genuine amazement and used the moment to highlight the extraordinary durability of plastic and the long-lasting impact of human waste in marine environments.

“It really surprised us”

“It’s very unusual, and it’s still completely intact. It’s incredible‚" one of the researchers said during the expedition’s live broadcast. “It shows just how durable plastic is. Years go by, and it remains virtually unchanged.”

The researcher added that the discovery “really surprised us.”

Although the VHS did not appear to be particularly old because it had not yet been heavily colonized by marine organisms, its presence on the ocean floor serves as a troubling reminder of humanity’s footprint in even the most remote ecosystems.

“In submarine canyons, we primarily find plastic waste and debris associated with maritime activities, including plastic bags, food packaging, fishing lines, nets, ropes, and other discarded materials," said Dr. Melisa Fernández Severini of the Argentine Institute of Oceanography.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.