What is this paved path doing at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean?

Scientists on an oceanographic mission have discovered a strange geological formation off the Hawaiian Islands that looks just like an old brick-paved road.

Could this be the mythical road leading to the city of Atlantis that scientists have just discovered at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean? This geological formation is indeed impressive. About 1,000 meters below the surface of the water, the members of the expedition Ocean Exploration Trust discovered a strange yellow brick path, or what looks like it. Because these are not bricks shaped by man, but by natural processes.

The Wizard of Oz yellow brick path?

This stunning geological formation is found within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monumenta huge marine reserve that encompasses several islands northwest of the Hawaiian archipelago. This very volcanic area is currently the playground of scientists who are seeking in particular to characterize a chain of ancient volcanoes now buried under the waters of the Pacific. By performing a dive on the summit of the seamount Nootka, the team discovered that the ocean floor here was oddly fragmented, in the form of perfectly rectangular bricks. Yes Discovery immediately caused the scientists of the mission to react, it is because it is very rare to observe this kind of formation and that naturally, theanalogy with the yellow brick road of the tale “ The Wizard of Oz », or even the way leading to Atlantis, is rather poetic.

No, overcooked lava!

The geological explanation is just as interesting. They are actually hyaloclastites, volcanic rocks which are produced when a casting of wash comes into contact with water. This sudden cooling generates a thermal shock which will fracture the crystallizing rock. This type of rock is classic volcanic eruptions underwater. The 90° fractures visible here and which give this impression of bricks would be the result of multiple eruptions, inducing several cycles of heating and cooling.