A team of researchers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Healy has potentially uncovered a massive underwater volcano in the Arctic Ocean near Alaska. According to reports from The Independent, the discovery was made during a seafloor mapping project aimed at exploring the largely uncharted ocean floor in the region. The newly identified structure, resembling a submarine volcano, is situated more than 1,600 meters below the water’s surface. Scientists also detected a gas plume rising from the site, further indicating volcanic activity. Despite the find, experts confirm that the volcano poses no threat to populations on land due to its extreme depth.
Captain Meghan McGovern of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) described the discovery as groundbreaking, highlighting how much of the ocean in this area remains unexplored. “These findings are exciting and offer insight into what may exist beneath the ocean’s surface,” she said.
The Cutter Healy, the U.S. Coast Guard’s only icebreaker equipped for research missions, played a crucial role in the operation. The mission brought together scientists from the NOAA, the University of New Hampshire, and the National Science Foundation. Their expedition was part of the Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study, a broader initiative designed to map underwater terrain and establish safer vessel routing measures in these remote waters. By identifying underwater hazards like the potential volcano, researchers aim to mitigate risks for maritime navigation.
The Healy departed from Washington in June for its Arctic deployment and has since returned to Seattle. Its Commanding Officer, Captain Michele Schallip, emphasized the significance of the mission, saying, “It’s an honor supporting such diverse research missions in the northern high latitudes while working towards enhancing navigation safety in a region where soundings are sparse.” Schallip added that the mission underscores the importance of scientific exploration in the Arctic, which continues to inspire and support future research.
Underwater volcanoes, also known as seamounts, play a critical role in shaping oceanic landscapes. Unlike their terrestrial counterparts, these submarine volcanoes erupt underwater, contributing to the ocean’s geological features. According to the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration, the Pacific Ocean floor alone could host as many as one million seamounts—750 times the number found on land.
This latest discovery sheds light on the dynamic and largely uncharted environment beneath the Arctic waters, marking another milestone in the quest to understand Earth’s hidden geological processes.
