Featured Image Credit: YouTube/NEPDEP 2023
Topics: Science
Callum Jones
Scientists couldn't believe what they stumbled upon while investigating an underwater volcano off the coast of Canada in 2023.
The discovery left experts bewildered as they had something in mind when it came to researching a seemingly extinct volcano in the Canadian seas.
To put it simply, they expected to find a dormant mound residing in icy waters, but what they actually discovered was anything but.
When the team arrived at the mound off the Pacific coast of the country, they instead found a volcano that was spouting warm water.
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The surprising discovery came as particularly good news for marine creatures in the area as they were able to survive because of the hot mineral-rich fluid that was being blown out of the underwater mountain.
While that may have been a shock for the team led by marine biologist Dr Cherisse Du Preez, the experts were left even more surprised to find the summit in question was speckled with huge eggs.
They later discovered that the egg-laying perpetrator was a marine beast identified as a Pacific white skate.
Scientists claim that during their two-week expedition, they spotted the creature weaving in and out of the fronds while laying down the goods.
Interestingly, these creatures are related to sharks, rays and lay rectangular eggs, according to the expedition leader.
Dr Du Preez also said they are more commonly known as ‘mermaid purses’ due to looking like little handbags.
Opening up about her team’s findings, the scientist told Live Science: “It's a really special place on top of a really special place.
"The only previous finding of a Pacific white skate nursery was in the Galapágos and I think was on the order of a dozen or two eggs."
She continued that the volcano was covered in loads of eggs and that they were around 1.5 feet (0.5 metres) in diameter.
Experts say it can take up to four years for Pacific white skates to hatch and develop into fully-fledged adults.
“The warm water likely speeds up the gestation period of the eggs, resulting in more successful juveniles,” Dr Du Preez explained.
“The shallow summit of the seamount is almost a coral garden and a safe nursery for juveniles to grow before they descend to the deep - it's a win-win.”
Unfortunately, the egg-covered undersea mountain is not protected and is threatened by fishing activity.
Nonetheless, the research team vowed to continue their monitoring of the seamount.