When scientists discovered the “road to Atlantis” 2,000 feet below the sea surface
Researchers from the Ocean Exploration Trust discovered a road-like formation made up of tile-shaped rock slabs.
In 2022, a team of scientists from the Ocean Exploration Trust uncovered what they dubbed the “road to Atlantis” in the Pacific Ocean. The discovery was made roughly 2,000 feet below the surface off the Hawaiian Islands and consists of a striking yellow brick-like formation that resembles a paved roadway, despite leading nowhere in particular.
How was “road to Atlantis” formed?
According to researchers, the formation may be the remnant of an ancient geological process that created a road-like structure through volcanic activity in this part of the Pacific. It lies near the summit of the Nutka Seamount, an underwater mountain rising from depths of about 3,300 feet. Scientists explained that the expedition’s primary goal was to collect samples to better understand the geological origins of the region’s seamounts.
The “road to Atlantis” nickname was coined by members of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus crew, who described the unusual terrain they encountered. The team noted that thick ferromanganese crusts may have developed on exposed rock surfaces, particularly along the flanks of seamounts where sediment accumulation is extremely limited.
As for the road-like formation itself, experts believe it may have been created by cycles of heating and cooling associated with volcanic activity linked to the Liliʻuokalani Ridge. In a video shared on YouTube, researchers suggested that the discovery could provide valuable insights into the planet’s hidden geology.
Another notable finding came from the rocky slopes surrounding the area, which are covered in coral gardens and home to a variety of marine species. Scientists also highlighted the remarkably straight 90-degree fractures visible in the rock, one of the site’s most unusual geological features. Researchers further reported that the summit of Nutka Seamount contains what appears to be an exposed dry lakebed-like formation, identified as a fractured hyaloclastite rock flow.
Present in major conservation area
The seamount lies within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM), one of the largest protected marine conservation areas on Earth. Despite its vast size and scientific importance, only about 3% of the monument’s seafloor has been explored to date.
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