<p>A team of deep-sea explorers found a rather strange object at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Science enthusiasts are calling it a ‘spooky golden egg’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a report in the Miami Herald, scientists found the so-called golden egg off the coast of Southern Alaska on August 30. The shiny object appeared to have a hole in one side where a creature may have hatched, suggested explorers from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) last week.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-grow-human-embryo-model-without-sperm-or-egg-paves-way-to-unravel-mysteries-of-early-development-633046">Scientists grow human embryo model without sperm or egg, pave way to unravel mysteries of early development</a></p>

<p>The team of explorers found this shiny golden orb when they were exploring an extinct volcano during the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition, at about a depth of two miles.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Efforts to unravel the mystery of the ‘golden egg’ continue&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In an attempt to unravel the mystery behind the ‘golden egg’, a team of oceanographers delicately extracted a sample, initially anticipating something eerie concealed within the golden shell. However, what emerged was nothing short of a strange texture resembling silk rather than the expected gelatinous substance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Samples were then carefully collected in tubes and taken to a laboratory for analysis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-sun-mission-aditya-l1-captures-images-of-earth-and-moon-633227">India's Sun mission Aditya-L1 captures images of Earth and Moon</a></p>

<p>“I just hope when we poke it, something doesn’t decide to come out,” a marine scientist said. “It’s like the beginning of a horror movie. When our collective knowledge can’t identify it, it’s something weird. What kind of an animal would make an egg casing like that?”</p>

<p>The unearthing of the ‘spooky golden egg’ not only interests experts but has also generated curiosity in online communities, drawing comparisons to scenarios right out of an X-files episode.</p>

<p>Kerry Howell, a professor of deep-sea ecology at the University of Plymouth, told the Mail Online that the object is “weird”.</p>

<p>“In my 20 years exploring the deep sea I have not seen anything like that,” she said. “It’s always exciting to see new things and I will wait eagerly for the analysis of the sample to understand what it actually is.”</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/number-of-people-under-50-diagnosed-with-cancer-has-surged-worldwide-reveals-study-633083">Number of people under 50 diagnosed with cancer has surged worldwide, reveals study</a></p>

<p>“There are many many undiscovered species in the deep sea so this could be related to a new species quite easily.”</p>

<p>As the scientific community tries to find answers to this astonishing discovery, various hypotheses have been put forth. Some have considered the possibility that it might be an ancient eggshell or the remnants of a deceased sea sponge. Yet, the true identity and origin of this mysterious object continue to amaze experts and the online community alike.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A team of deep-sea explorers found a rather strange object at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Science enthusiasts are calling it a ‘spooky golden egg’. According to a report in the Miami Herald, scientists found the so-called golden egg off the coast of Southern Alaska on August 30.

A team of deep-sea explorers found a rather strange object at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Science enthusiasts are calling it a ‘spooky golden egg’. According to a report in the Miami Herald, scientists found the so-called golden egg off the coast of Southern Alaska on August 30. The shiny object appeared to have a hole in one side where a creature may have hatched, suggested explorers from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) last week. Also Read | Scientists grow human embryo model without sperm or egg, pave way to unravel mysteries of early development The team of explorers found this shiny golden orb when they were exploring an extinct volcano during the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition, at about a depth of two miles. Efforts to unravel the mystery of the ‘golden egg’ continue In an attempt to unravel the mystery behind the ‘golden egg’, a team of oceanographers delicately extracted a sample, initially anticipating something eerie concealed within the golden shell. However, what emerged was nothing short of a strange texture resembling silk rather than the expected gelatinous substance. Samples were then carefully collected in tubes and taken to a laboratory for analysis. Also Read | India's Sun mission Aditya-L1 captures images of Earth and Moon “I just hope when we poke it, something doesn’t decide to come out,” a marine scientist said. “It’s like the beginning of a horror movie. When our collective knowledge can’t identify it, it’s something weird. What kind of an animal would make an egg casing like that?” The unearthing of the ‘spooky golden egg’ not only interests experts but has also generated curiosity in online communities, drawing comparisons to scenarios right out of an X-files episode. Kerry Howell, a professor of deep-sea ecology at the University of Plymouth, told the Mail Online that the object is “weird”. “In my 20 years exploring the deep sea I have not seen anything like that,” she said. “It’s always exciting to see new things and I will wait eagerly for the analysis of the sample to understand what it actually is.” Also Read | Number of people under 50 diagnosed with cancer has surged worldwide, reveals study “There are many many undiscovered species in the deep sea so this could be related to a new species quite easily.” As the scientific community tries to find answers to this astonishing discovery, various hypotheses have been put forth. Some have considered the possibility that it might be an ancient eggshell or the remnants of a deceased sea sponge. Yet, the true identity and origin of this mysterious object continue to amaze experts and the online community alike. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists find mysterious never-seen-before 'spooky golden egg' at the bottom of Pacific Ocean

<p>A strange meteor that fell into&nbsp;the Pacific Ocean nine years ago came from outside of our solar system, a team of Harvard scientists claimed on Tuesday (Aug 29).</p>

<p>Professor and theoretical astrophysicist at Harvard University, Avi Leob said that based on an early analysis of the metallic spheres that fell off the coast of Papua New Guinea in June 2014, it was found that it is interstellar in origin.</p>

<p>Loeb said that the 700 tiny remnants of the meteor did not match any of the existing alloys in our solar system. He, however, added that his team is now finding whether the spheres are artificial or natural in origin</p>

<p>"This is a historic discovery because it represents the first time that humans put their hand on materials from a large object that arrived on Earth from outside the solar system," Loeb wrote Tuesday in the journal Medium.</p>

<p>He also did not rule out the possibility that the fragments could be part of an alien aircraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The success of the expedition illustrates the value of taking risks in science despite all odds as an opportunity for discovering new knowledge," Loeb said.</p>

<p>In June, the team went through the seafloor for two weeks in the hopes of recovering evidence to support his theory.</p>

<h2><strong>Meteor fell on Pacific Ocean in 2014</strong></h2>

<p>Their expedition was financed by entrepreneur Charles Hoskinson who spent $1.5 million in order to retrieve any remnants they could find of the meteorite named IM1 that had crashed into Earth's atmosphere in 2014.</p>

<p>Professor Loeb and Harvard researcher Amir Siraj were the first ones to discover the meteorite and since then, have been working closely with the US military to pinpoint the impact zone near Papua New Guinea.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is said that the IM1 was able to withstand four times the pressure that would typically destroy an ordinary iron-metal meteor. The meteor had an estimated mass of 460 kg and was between 80 cm and 1 m (2.6-3.3 feet) in diameter.</p>

<p>The team had sent 50 spherical iron fragments to a lab in Berkley, which later found that spheres were 'anomalous' and more durable than any observed naturally-produced meteorite.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-successfully-induce-aggressive-cancer-cells-to-transform-into-healthy-cells-630275">Scientists successfully induce aggressive cancer cells to transform into healthy cells</a></p>

<p>Iron is the main component of any hardest known natural meteorites, so these Harvard scientists believed that there must be something very unusual about how the object was made.</p>

<h2><strong>Components of meteor 'extra-terrestrial'</strong></h2>

<p>Professor Loeb said, “More than 95% of all meteorites contain iron-nickel metal. As a consequence, meteorites have concentrations of nickel far greater than those of almost any terrestrial rock.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-lagrange-point-the-location-from-where-isros-aditya-l1-will-study-the-sun-630185">What is Lagrange point, the location from where ISRO's Aditya L1 will study the sun?</a></p>

<p>However, unlike these typical iron-nickel meteorites, fragments of IM1 contained only “negligible” amounts of nickel, along with other “trace elements,” according to a preliminary statement given to DailyMail.com.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trace elements means any chemical compound or atomic element present only in extremely small amounts, less than 100 parts per million.</p>

<p>“The fundamental question is whether the meteorite was of natural or technological origin. We hope to answer this question with further analysis of its isotopic composition and radioactive dating,” Leob stated.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A strange meteor that fell into the Pacific Ocean nine years ago came from outside of our solar system, a team of Harvard scientists claimed on Tuesday (Aug 29).

A strange meteor that fell into the Pacific Ocean nine years ago came from outside of our solar system, a team of Harvard scientists claimed on Tuesday (Aug 29). Professor and theoretical astrophysicist at Harvard University, Avi Leob said that based on an early analysis of the metallic spheres that fell off the coast of Papua New Guinea in June 2014, it was found that it is interstellar in origin. Loeb said that the 700 tiny remnants of the meteor did not match any of the existing alloys in our solar system. He, however, added that his team is now finding whether the spheres are artificial or natural in origin "This is a historic discovery because it represents the first time that humans put their hand on materials from a large object that arrived on Earth from outside the solar system," Loeb wrote Tuesday in the journal Medium. He also did not rule out the possibility that the fragments could be part of an alien aircraft. "The success of the expedition illustrates the value of taking risks in science despite all odds as an opportunity for discovering new knowledge," Loeb said. In June, the team went through the seafloor for two weeks in the hopes of recovering evidence to support his theory. Meteor fell on Pacific Ocean in 2014 Their expedition was financed by entrepreneur Charles Hoskinson who spent $1.5 million in order to retrieve any remnants they could find of the meteorite named IM1 that had crashed into Earth's atmosphere in 2014. Professor Loeb and Harvard researcher Amir Siraj were the first ones to discover the meteorite and since then, have been working closely with the US military to pinpoint the impact zone near Papua New Guinea. It is said that the IM1 was able to withstand four times the pressure that would typically destroy an ordinary iron-metal meteor. The meteor had an estimated mass of 460 kg and was between 80 cm and 1 m (2.6-3.3 feet) in diameter. The team had sent 50 spherical iron fragments to a lab in Berkley, which later found that spheres were 'anomalous' and more durable than any observed naturally-produced meteorite. Also read | Scientists successfully induce aggressive cancer cells to transform into healthy cells Iron is the main component of any hardest known natural meteorites, so these Harvard scientists believed that there must be something very unusual about how the object was made. Components of meteor 'extra-terrestrial' Professor Loeb said, “More than 95% of all meteorites contain iron-nickel metal. As a consequence, meteorites have concentrations of nickel far greater than those of almost any terrestrial rock.” Also read | What is Lagrange point, the location from where ISRO's Aditya L1 will study the sun? However, unlike these typical iron-nickel meteorites, fragments of IM1 contained only “negligible” amounts of nickel, along with other “trace elements,” according to a preliminary statement given to DailyMail.com. Trace elements means any chemical compound or atomic element present only in extremely small amounts, less than 100 parts per million. “The fundamental question is whether the meteorite was of natural or technological origin. We hope to answer this question with further analysis of its isotopic composition and radioactive dating,” Leob stated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Meteor remnants found in Pacific not part of solar system, could be 'alien technology': Harvard scientist

QUAD navies are demonstrating remarkable camaraderie. As they kickstart the Malabar exercise in the Pacific Ocean. The multilateral naval exercise Malabar has left China worrying.

Malabar exercise 2023: QUAD countries kickstart war games in the Pacific

Overshadowed by the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s recent and rapid militarisation of a group of islands claimed by japan has flown largely under the radar. With japan boosting military capabilities, the Russian Defence Ministry is considering a plan to cover the pacific ocean with formidable tu-160 strategic bombers. here's an analysis of the recent developments.

Russia moves to cover Pacific Ocean with feared Tu-160 bombers amid dispute with Japan | Details

<p>French President Emmanuel Macron is due to travel to the southwest Pacific next week.&nbsp;During the visit,&nbsp;he will offer a "French alternative" in a region that's witnessing increasing geopolitical competition between the United States and China. Macron's office announced on Monday (July 17) that his trip will start with a visit to New Caledonia, a French overseas territory which has rejected independence from France in three referendums but continues to witness ethnic divisions.</p>

<p>After a visit to New Caledonia, Macron will visit Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, thus being the first French president to visit the non-French islands in the region.</p>

<p>AFP quoted an official who said that Macron will use those two stops to outline France's Indo-Pacific strategy which is aimed at "recommitting" France to the region.</p>

<p>After a bitter row last year that started after Australia cancelled a submarine deal with France in favour of the US and UK, Macron relaunched France's Indo-Pacific approach. He has sought to project France as a balancing power. US and China are vying for influence with Pacific Island nations.</p>

<p>"We don't believe in hegemony, we don't believe in confrontation, we believe in stability," Macron said on the margins of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November.</p>

<p>"What we are offering is an alternative" amid the China-US standoff, the Elysee official said, as quoted by AFP.</p>

<p>This would translate into an increase in France's engagement, especially in terms of development aid and help with natural disasters.</p>

<h2><strong>The referendums</strong></h2>

<p>The French president's visit to New Caledonia comes five years after his last trip there and&nbsp;19 months after the New Caledonians rejected independence from France in a third successive referendum.</p>

<p>Macron at the time hailed the vote's outcome, saying "France is more beautiful" with the Pacific islands included.</p>

<p>However, Macron also opened the door to "a period of transition". &nbsp;He said that the island group and Paris had to build "a common project", "free from the binary choice of Yes or No".</p>

<p>At the time, pro-independence campaigners had boycotted the vote. They had demanded postponement of the referendum because "a fair campaign" was impossible with a high number of Covid infection numbers.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/where-is-qin-gang-chinese-foreign-minister-was-last-seen-over-three-weeks-ago-616546">Where is Qin Gang? Chinese foreign minister was last seen over three weeks ago</a></strong></p>

<p>The outcome of the vote stoked ethnic tension between the indigenous, poorer Kanak community and the wealthier white community. The Kanak community favours independence from France.</p>

<p>"At this point, it is important for the President to invite the whole range of political representation in New Caledonia to talk with him about the future status of New Caledonia, and ongoing negotiations," the Elysee official said.</p>

<p>Macron will also travel to New Caledonia's east coast to draw attention to coastal erosion there.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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French President Emmanuel Macron is due to travel to the southwest Pacific next week. During the visit, he will offer a "French alternative" in a region that's witnessing increasing geopolitical competition between the United States and China.

French President Emmanuel Macron is due to travel to the southwest Pacific next week. During the visit, he will offer a "French alternative" in a region that's witnessing increasing geopolitical competition between the United States and China. Macron's office announced on Monday (July 17) that his trip will start with a visit to New Caledonia, a French overseas territory which has rejected independence from France in three referendums but continues to witness ethnic divisions. After a visit to New Caledonia, Macron will visit Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, thus being the first French president to visit the non-French islands in the region. AFP quoted an official who said that Macron will use those two stops to outline France's Indo-Pacific strategy which is aimed at "recommitting" France to the region. After a bitter row last year that started after Australia cancelled a submarine deal with France in favour of the US and UK, Macron relaunched France's Indo-Pacific approach. He has sought to project France as a balancing power. US and China are vying for influence with Pacific Island nations. "We don't believe in hegemony, we don't believe in confrontation, we believe in stability," Macron said on the margins of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November. "What we are offering is an alternative" amid the China-US standoff, the Elysee official said, as quoted by AFP. This would translate into an increase in France's engagement, especially in terms of development aid and help with natural disasters. The referendums The French president's visit to New Caledonia comes five years after his last trip there and 19 months after the New Caledonians rejected independence from France in a third successive referendum. Macron at the time hailed the vote's outcome, saying "France is more beautiful" with the Pacific islands included. However, Macron also opened the door to "a period of transition". He said that the island group and Paris had to build "a common project", "free from the binary choice of Yes or No". At the time, pro-independence campaigners had boycotted the vote. They had demanded postponement of the referendum because "a fair campaign" was impossible with a high number of Covid infection numbers. Also Read | Where is Qin Gang? Chinese foreign minister was last seen over three weeks ago The outcome of the vote stoked ethnic tension between the indigenous, poorer Kanak community and the wealthier white community. The Kanak community favours independence from France. "At this point, it is important for the President to invite the whole range of political representation in New Caledonia to talk with him about the future status of New Caledonia, and ongoing negotiations," the Elysee official said. Macron will also travel to New Caledonia's east coast to draw attention to coastal erosion there. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Macron to push French 'alternative' amid US-China tussle in the Pacific

<p>A powerful solar flare recently caused a temporary radio blackout in the western US and the Pacific Ocean. The flare, unleashed by an active sunspot region known as AR 3354, was classified as an X1.0, making it one of the strongest flares observed from the Sun. It affected Earth's upper atmosphere, interfering with high-frequency radio signals in the area facing the Sun at that time.</p>

<p>Fortunately, the impact on Earth was not as severe as it could have been. The flare subsided without any additional incidents, and astronomers did not detect a coronal mass ejection, which is often associated with such events and can launch plasma streams into space.</p>

<h2><strong>More intense solar activity expected</strong></h2>

<p>This eruption aligns with the ongoing solar cycle, indicating that we can expect more intense solar activity in the coming months as we approach the peak of the 11-year cycle. The Royal Observatory of Belgium reported a 21-year high in sunspot counts, with an average of 163 sunspots per day in June.</p>

<h2><strong>How are solar flares/sunspots formed?</strong></h2>

<p>Solar activity follows a regular pattern with peaks and lows occurring every 11 years. These cycles, known as solar maximum and solar minimum, are driven by the Sun's magnetic field.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;China is making a 'mini sun' as global fusion race heats up</strong></p>

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<p>Sunspots, temporary regions with strong magnetic fields, play a role in the generation of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The more the sunspots, the more frequent are these bursts of energy.</p>

<h2><strong>The current solar cycle</strong></h2>

<p>We are currently in Solar Cycle 25 and expected to reach a solar maximum around July 2025. However, this cycle has shown greater activity than anticipated by NASA and the NOAA, with the official prediction of around 115 sunspots at the peak.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-report-hints-at-blocking-sunlight-to-cool-planet-earth-610980"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;White House report hints at blocking sunlight to cool planet Earth</strong></a></p>

<p>Scientists are unsure why the Sun has been more active than expected, and further observation is necessary to improve future predictions and deepen our understanding of the Sun's internal processes.</p>

<h2><strong>How can solar flares impact people on Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>Solar activity has implications for Earth, as demonstrated by the recent flare. It can affect various aspects of our lives, including satellite communications, power grids, and animal behaviour. Historical events like the Carrington Event in 1859, which caused telegraph system failures, highlight the potential for catastrophic consequences from intense solar storms.</p>

<p>While Solar Cycle 25 is not yet the strongest on record, scientists predict that it could become one of the most powerful.&nbsp;</p>

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A powerful solar flare recently caused a temporary radio blackout in the western US and the Pacific Ocean. The flare, unleashed by an active sunspot region known as AR 3354, was classified as an X1.

A powerful solar flare recently caused a temporary radio blackout in the western US and the Pacific Ocean. The flare, unleashed by an active sunspot region known as AR 3354, was classified as an X1.0, making it one of the strongest flares observed from the Sun. It affected Earth's upper atmosphere, interfering with high-frequency radio signals in the area facing the Sun at that time. Fortunately, the impact on Earth was not as severe as it could have been. The flare subsided without any additional incidents, and astronomers did not detect a coronal mass ejection, which is often associated with such events and can launch plasma streams into space. More intense solar activity expected This eruption aligns with the ongoing solar cycle, indicating that we can expect more intense solar activity in the coming months as we approach the peak of the 11-year cycle. The Royal Observatory of Belgium reported a 21-year high in sunspot counts, with an average of 163 sunspots per day in June. How are solar flares/sunspots formed? Solar activity follows a regular pattern with peaks and lows occurring every 11 years. These cycles, known as solar maximum and solar minimum, are driven by the Sun's magnetic field. Watch: China is making a 'mini sun' as global fusion race heats up × Sunspots, temporary regions with strong magnetic fields, play a role in the generation of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The more the sunspots, the more frequent are these bursts of energy. The current solar cycle We are currently in Solar Cycle 25 and expected to reach a solar maximum around July 2025. However, this cycle has shown greater activity than anticipated by NASA and the NOAA, with the official prediction of around 115 sunspots at the peak. Also read: White House report hints at blocking sunlight to cool planet Earth Scientists are unsure why the Sun has been more active than expected, and further observation is necessary to improve future predictions and deepen our understanding of the Sun's internal processes. How can solar flares impact people on Earth? Solar activity has implications for Earth, as demonstrated by the recent flare. It can affect various aspects of our lives, including satellite communications, power grids, and animal behaviour. Historical events like the Carrington Event in 1859, which caused telegraph system failures, highlight the potential for catastrophic consequences from intense solar storms. While Solar Cycle 25 is not yet the strongest on record, scientists predict that it could become one of the most powerful. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Massive solar flare causes radio blackout in US and Pacific Ocean

More than a million cubic metres of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe site will be released into the Pacific Ocean, according to a controversial plan that has strained relations with China and other neighbours.

Japan set to release contaminated Fukushima water into Pacific, angering China

In Pics | Most remote places on Earth

Japan has been rushing to dump contaminated water into the ocean. Experts and residents are urging japan to stop pushing forward with the ocean discharge plan, that intends to dump hazardous radioactive substances like tritium.

Japan's plan to discharge treated water Fukushima threatens Pacific Ocean | WION Climate Tracker

<p>Researchers have discovered more than 5,000 species in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean. The study noted that around 88 to 92 per cent of the species had never been seen before.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The CCZ is known for housing critical minerals needed to build batteries, but the same region is also rich in marine life. The vast region spans 5,000 kilometres across the central Pacific Ocean, at depths of ~4,000 - 5,500 metres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Part of the study mentioned that the region is composed of abyssal seafloor, characterised by muddy sediments overlain by potato-sized polymetallic nodules, which are a potential mineral resource for copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese and other rare earth elements. &nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the study published on Thursday (May 25) in the scientific journal Current Biology, the region has been identified as a future hotspot for deep-sea mining. It is the first time that it has been comprehensively documented.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Muriel Rabone, the paper’s lead author, and a deep-sea ecologist at the Natural History Museum (NHM), said, "We share this planet with all this amazing biodiversity and we have a responsibility to understand it and protect it."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rabone said that ecologists and biologists, looking to understand what may be at risk once companies started mining, began exploring the CCZ.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The zone receives little sunlight and has low-food availability, but despite the darkness and low food availability, nodule field habitats contain diverse communities of benthic invertebrate fauna.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Just remarkable species down there'</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Researchers travelled to the Pacific Ocean on research cruises to collect samples and looked through more than 100,000 records of species found in the CCZ during their travels.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rabone said in a press release. "There's some just remarkable species down there. Some of the sponges look like classic bath sponges, and some look like vases. They're just beautiful. One of my favorites is the glass sponges. They have these little spines, and under the microscope, they look like tiny chandeliers or little sculptures."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers said they hope there will be more studies of the region's biodiversity. "This is particularly important given that the CCZ remains one of the few remaining areas of the global ocean with high intactness of wilderness," researchers wrote in the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Sound data and understanding are essential to shed light on this unique region and secure its future protection from human impacts," they further&nbsp;added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We make these data and interpretations open to all stakeholders to inform the ongoing debate on deep-sea mineral extraction and to grow our knowledge of the largest ecosystem on our planet," the study mentioned.&nbsp;</p>

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Researchers have discovered more than 5,000 species in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean. The study noted that around 88 to 92 per cent of the species had never been seen before.

Researchers have discovered more than 5,000 species in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean. The study noted that around 88 to 92 per cent of the species had never been seen before. The CCZ is known for housing critical minerals needed to build batteries, but the same region is also rich in marine life. The vast region spans 5,000 kilometres across the central Pacific Ocean, at depths of ~4,000 - 5,500 metres. Part of the study mentioned that the region is composed of abyssal seafloor, characterised by muddy sediments overlain by potato-sized polymetallic nodules, which are a potential mineral resource for copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese and other rare earth elements. According to the study published on Thursday (May 25) in the scientific journal Current Biology, the region has been identified as a future hotspot for deep-sea mining. It is the first time that it has been comprehensively documented. Muriel Rabone, the paper’s lead author, and a deep-sea ecologist at the Natural History Museum (NHM), said, "We share this planet with all this amazing biodiversity and we have a responsibility to understand it and protect it." Rabone said that ecologists and biologists, looking to understand what may be at risk once companies started mining, began exploring the CCZ. The zone receives little sunlight and has low-food availability, but despite the darkness and low food availability, nodule field habitats contain diverse communities of benthic invertebrate fauna. 'Just remarkable species down there' Researchers travelled to the Pacific Ocean on research cruises to collect samples and looked through more than 100,000 records of species found in the CCZ during their travels. Rabone said in a press release. "There's some just remarkable species down there. Some of the sponges look like classic bath sponges, and some look like vases. They're just beautiful. One of my favorites is the glass sponges. They have these little spines, and under the microscope, they look like tiny chandeliers or little sculptures." Researchers said they hope there will be more studies of the region's biodiversity. "This is particularly important given that the CCZ remains one of the few remaining areas of the global ocean with high intactness of wilderness," researchers wrote in the study. "Sound data and understanding are essential to shed light on this unique region and secure its future protection from human impacts," they further added. "We make these data and interpretations open to all stakeholders to inform the ongoing debate on deep-sea mineral extraction and to grow our knowledge of the largest ecosystem on our planet," the study mentioned. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

More than 5,000 new species discovered on seabed of Pacific Ocean

<p>The Japanese defence ministry, on Thursday (May 25), said that it scrambled fighters after it saw&nbsp;what it described as Russian “intelligence-gathering” aircraft&nbsp;off its coast. The brief statement released by Japan’s Joint Staff said that it detected the Russian aircraft IL-20&nbsp;along the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the statement, the military planes flew a round-trip from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Pacific while the other IL-20 flew toward the waters near Sado Island before turning toward the continent.&nbsp;The aircraft in question travelled from Japan's north down along part of its west coast, while the other took a similar route along the opposite coast and returned the same way.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“In response, fighters of the Air Self-Defense Force’s Northern Air Force and other units were scrambled,” said the Japanese defence ministry. The brief statement did not give any further information about the incident.</p>

<p>This comes days after Japan hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit, in Hiroshima. Similarly, last year, Chinese and Russian military jets carried out joint flights when&nbsp;Tokyo hosted the Quad Summit with the leaders of the United States, India, Australia, and Japan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Japan has also recently joined its allies in the West to announce sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine which began over a year ago. In its latest security document, Tokyo, which, had previously called to strengthen ties and cooperation with Moscow, has&nbsp;now warned of its military posturing in Asia and called its cooperation with China “a strong security concern”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Russia has also now dubbed Japan as a “hostile” country, a category which it now shares with the countries in the European Union, the US, the United Kingdom, and Australia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this year, Moscow also carried out military exercises, where the Russian Navy, test-fired supersonic anti-ship missiles at a mock target in the Sea of Japan, which was some 100 kilometres away. Another test was conducted in late March, a week after two Russian strategic bomber planes flew over the Sea of Japan for more than seven hours in what Moscow said was a “planned flight”.</p>

<p>At the time, Japan’s foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, in his daily press conference, said that Tokyo will be more vigilant against Russia’s military operations.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em><br />
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The Japanese defence ministry, on Thursday (May 25), said that it scrambled fighters after it saw what it described as Russian “intelligence-gathering” aircraft off its coast.

The Japanese defence ministry, on Thursday (May 25), said that it scrambled fighters after it saw what it described as Russian “intelligence-gathering” aircraft off its coast. The brief statement released by Japan’s Joint Staff said that it detected the Russian aircraft IL-20 along the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. According to the statement, the military planes flew a round-trip from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Pacific while the other IL-20 flew toward the waters near Sado Island before turning toward the continent. The aircraft in question travelled from Japan's north down along part of its west coast, while the other took a similar route along the opposite coast and returned the same way. “In response, fighters of the Air Self-Defense Force’s Northern Air Force and other units were scrambled,” said the Japanese defence ministry. The brief statement did not give any further information about the incident. This comes days after Japan hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit, in Hiroshima. Similarly, last year, Chinese and Russian military jets carried out joint flights when Tokyo hosted the Quad Summit with the leaders of the United States, India, Australia, and Japan. Japan has also recently joined its allies in the West to announce sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine which began over a year ago. In its latest security document, Tokyo, which, had previously called to strengthen ties and cooperation with Moscow, has now warned of its military posturing in Asia and called its cooperation with China “a strong security concern”. Meanwhile, Russia has also now dubbed Japan as a “hostile” country, a category which it now shares with the countries in the European Union, the US, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Earlier this year, Moscow also carried out military exercises, where the Russian Navy, test-fired supersonic anti-ship missiles at a mock target in the Sea of Japan, which was some 100 kilometres away. Another test was conducted in late March, a week after two Russian strategic bomber planes flew over the Sea of Japan for more than seven hours in what Moscow said was a “planned flight”. At the time, Japan’s foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, in his daily press conference, said that Tokyo will be more vigilant against Russia’s military operations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan scrambles jets after Russian ‘intelligence-gathering’ aircraft detected off its coast

<p>Another 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked east of New Caledonia Saturday in the Pacific Ocean, the US Geological Survey said. This comes a day after a major quake of magnitude 7.7 hit the same area. The epicentre was located at 35 kilometres (22 miles) depth and was at nearly 300 kilometres (190 miles) east of the New Caledonian archipelago, the USGS said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre stated in its most recent bulletin that any tsunami waves are anticipated to be smaller than 0.3 metres (one foot) in height. A tsunami warning was issued for coasts within 300 kilometres (185 miles) of the epicentre. It was reported that the waves may reach the Pacific islands of Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-debt-ceiling-talks-resume-after-temporary-pause-report-594289">US debt ceiling talks resume after a temporary pause: Report</a></p>

<p>Tsunami warnings were issued to countries in the South Pacific on Friday following a 7.7 quake southeast of the Loyalty Islands in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia.&nbsp;A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the same region on Friday caused inhabitants on many Pacific islands to flee to higher ground out of fear of colossal waves. Hours later, the tsunami warning was cancelled.</p>

<h2><strong>Vanuatu Tsunami&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>After the massive 7.7 quake in the Pacific, small tsunami waves hit Vanuatu in the South Pacific. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, waves less than 1.5 feet high were recorded off the island nation's port city of Lenakel. The Loyalty Islands are a province in the French territory of New Caledonia, and the US Geological Survey states that the earthquake's epicentre was close to those islands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-and-japans-kishida-hold-talks-on-sidelines-of-g7-594288">PM Modi meets Japan's Kishida on sidelines of G7, unveils Mahatma Gandhi's bust in Hiroshima</a></p>

<p>The location is where the Coral Sea joins the Pacific, southwest of Fiji, north of New Zealand, and east of Australia. The region was no longer under tsunami warning since the threat has mostly subsided.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Who was behind the 2022 clashes in Leicester?</strong></p>

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<p>The National Disaster Management Office of Vanuatu recommended residents to flee coastal regions and climb to higher elevations as quickly as possible. Additionally, the authorities advised citizens to tune in to their radios for updates and additional warnings.&nbsp;Not only Vanuatu, but also Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, and Guam had to deal with powerful and peculiar currents. The National Emergency Management Agency of New Zealand predicts that the country's coastal regions may also see heavy waves.</p>

<p><em><strong>(This is a developing story)</strong></em></p>

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Another 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked east of New Caledonia Saturday in the Pacific Ocean, the US Geological Survey said. This comes a day after a major quake of magnitude 7.

Another 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked east of New Caledonia Saturday in the Pacific Ocean, the US Geological Survey said. This comes a day after a major quake of magnitude 7.7 hit the same area. The epicentre was located at 35 kilometres (22 miles) depth and was at nearly 300 kilometres (190 miles) east of the New Caledonian archipelago, the USGS said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre stated in its most recent bulletin that any tsunami waves are anticipated to be smaller than 0.3 metres (one foot) in height. A tsunami warning was issued for coasts within 300 kilometres (185 miles) of the epicentre. It was reported that the waves may reach the Pacific islands of Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. Also Read | US debt ceiling talks resume after a temporary pause: Report Tsunami warnings were issued to countries in the South Pacific on Friday following a 7.7 quake southeast of the Loyalty Islands in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the same region on Friday caused inhabitants on many Pacific islands to flee to higher ground out of fear of colossal waves. Hours later, the tsunami warning was cancelled. Vanuatu Tsunami After the massive 7.7 quake in the Pacific, small tsunami waves hit Vanuatu in the South Pacific. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, waves less than 1.5 feet high were recorded off the island nation's port city of Lenakel. The Loyalty Islands are a province in the French territory of New Caledonia, and the US Geological Survey states that the earthquake's epicentre was close to those islands. Also Read | PM Modi meets Japan's Kishida on sidelines of G7, unveils Mahatma Gandhi's bust in Hiroshima The location is where the Coral Sea joins the Pacific, southwest of Fiji, north of New Zealand, and east of Australia. The region was no longer under tsunami warning since the threat has mostly subsided. Watch | Who was behind the 2022 clashes in Leicester? × The National Disaster Management Office of Vanuatu recommended residents to flee coastal regions and climb to higher elevations as quickly as possible. Additionally, the authorities advised citizens to tune in to their radios for updates and additional warnings. Not only Vanuatu, but also Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, and Guam had to deal with powerful and peculiar currents. The National Emergency Management Agency of New Zealand predicts that the country's coastal regions may also see heavy waves. (This is a developing story) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Another 7.1 earthquake rocks east of New Caledonia in Pacific Ocean, tsunami warning issued

<p>The South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu was struck by small tsunami waves following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in the far Pacific. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves less than 1.5 feet were measured off Lenakel- a port town in the island nation. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre of the earthquake was located near the Loyalty Islands, a province in the French territory of New Caledonia. The site is southwest of Fiji, north of New Zealand and east of Australia where the Coral Sea meets the Pacific. The threat of a tsunami has largely passed and alerts regarding the same were lifted in the region.</p>

<p>Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office advised people to evacuate coastal areas and rush to safety at higher altitudes. The authorities also urged people to listen to radios for updates and further advisories.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Strong currents recorded in several Pacific nations</strong></h2>

<p>Not just Vanuatu, strong and unusual currents were faced by several Pacific nations such as Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Guam. New Zealand is also expected to face strong waves in its coastal areas, according to the country’s National Emergency Management Agency.</p>

<h2><strong>Why Pacific Ocean is prone to earthquakes?</strong></h2>

<p>A large part of the Pacific Ocean is a part of the ‘ring of fire’, a term used to describe an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. It is a direct result of plate tectonics and the movement and interaction of several tectonic plates.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Will the Pacific Ocean witness a mega quake?</strong></p>

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<p>The Pacific Ocean is surrounded by several tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate, the North American Plate, the Eurasian Plate, the Philippine Sea Plate, and others. The Ring of Fire encompasses the subduction zones, where oceanic plates are forced beneath the continental plates or other oceanic plates during the process of plate convergence. This subduction process leads to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic activity.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-caledonia-tsunami-earthquake-updates-i-what-we-know-so-far-593989">Watch:&nbsp;New Caledonia tsunami, earthquake updates I What we know so far</a></strong></p>

<p>In addition to earthquakes, volcanic activity is also common in the ‘ring of fire’. As the oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate, the intense heat and pressure cause the mantle to partially melt, forming magma. This magma rises to the surface, resulting in volcanic eruptions and the formation of volcanic arcs, such as the Andes in South America, the Cascades in North America, and the Japanese archipelago.</p>

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The South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu was struck by small tsunami waves following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in the far Pacific. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves less than 1.

The South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu was struck by small tsunami waves following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in the far Pacific. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves less than 1.5 feet were measured off Lenakel- a port town in the island nation. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre of the earthquake was located near the Loyalty Islands, a province in the French territory of New Caledonia. The site is southwest of Fiji, north of New Zealand and east of Australia where the Coral Sea meets the Pacific. The threat of a tsunami has largely passed and alerts regarding the same were lifted in the region. Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office advised people to evacuate coastal areas and rush to safety at higher altitudes. The authorities also urged people to listen to radios for updates and further advisories. Strong currents recorded in several Pacific nations Not just Vanuatu, strong and unusual currents were faced by several Pacific nations such as Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Guam. New Zealand is also expected to face strong waves in its coastal areas, according to the country’s National Emergency Management Agency. Why Pacific Ocean is prone to earthquakes? A large part of the Pacific Ocean is a part of the ‘ring of fire’, a term used to describe an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. It is a direct result of plate tectonics and the movement and interaction of several tectonic plates. Watch: Gravitas: Will the Pacific Ocean witness a mega quake? × The Pacific Ocean is surrounded by several tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate, the North American Plate, the Eurasian Plate, the Philippine Sea Plate, and others. The Ring of Fire encompasses the subduction zones, where oceanic plates are forced beneath the continental plates or other oceanic plates during the process of plate convergence. This subduction process leads to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic activity. Watch: New Caledonia tsunami, earthquake updates I What we know so far In addition to earthquakes, volcanic activity is also common in the ‘ring of fire’. As the oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate, the intense heat and pressure cause the mantle to partially melt, forming magma. This magma rises to the surface, resulting in volcanic eruptions and the formation of volcanic arcs, such as the Andes in South America, the Cascades in North America, and the Japanese archipelago. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Vanuatu struck by small tsunami after 7.7 magnitude earthquake in ‘ring of fire’ region

<p>Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape said on Thursday (May 18) that the country will sign a security pact with the US. The pact will give US troops access to the Pacific nation's ports and airports. The development has come amid Washington's attempts to jostle for influence in this region with China.</p>

<p>China is actively trying to woo island nations in the Pacific with an array of diplomatic and financial incentives in return for strategic support. US President Joe Biden has placed more importance on the region given the situation.</p>

<p>"We are elevating to a specific defence cooperation agreement, something that is falling short of a treaty," he told a press conference.</p>

<p>"We are moving ahead, we are signing with the best military on the face of planet Earth."</p>

<h2><strong>What are the pacts?</strong></h2>

<p>PM Marape said that the two agreements will focus on defence co-operation and maritime surveillance. The pact will be formally signed at the earliest after parliamentary approval.</p>

<p>These agreements can be renewed every 15 years. They will give the US vital manoeuvrability in Papua New Guinea's waters which are near to sea routes to Australia and Japan. US will in return will give access to satellite surveillance.</p>

<p>"It now gives us an opportune time to focus not just on maritime access but satellite access on... illegal activities on the high sea," Marape said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | China to host first in-person China-Central Asia Summit from 18 to 19 May</strong></p>

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<p>A leaked draft version of the defence cooperation agreement showed American forces would have broad autonomy at some of the country's key entry points, but Marape said any access would have to be approved by his government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The ports, the infrastructure... will not in any way stand to be exclusively used by the military," he said.</p>

<p>"They would always be asking our defence to have access to our facilities."</p>

<h2><strong>The visit that almost happened</strong></h2>

<p>Biden was due for a historic first visit to most populous South Pacific nation next week. But he had to cancel the trip because of domestic debt ceiling crisis talks.</p>

<p>The White House said Biden called Marape from Air Force One on Thursday to inform him that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would instead attend the summit with Pacific leaders in Port Moresby on Monday.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-western-embassies-in-beijing-over-propaganda-displays-reports-593444">China warns Western embassies in Beijing over ‘propaganda’ displays: Reports</a></strong></p>

<p>Biden invited Marape and other Pacific leaders to another summit in Washington later this year to carry on "discussions around enhancing US-Pacific cooperation", the White House said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Washington is courting Pacific nations more intensely after the Solomon Islands became the unlikely epicentre of a diplomatic tussle between the United States and China last year when it signed a security pact with Beijing.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

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Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape said on Thursday (May 18) that the country will sign a security pact with the US. The pact will give US troops access to the Pacific nation's ports and airports.

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape said on Thursday (May 18) that the country will sign a security pact with the US. The pact will give US troops access to the Pacific nation's ports and airports. The development has come amid Washington's attempts to jostle for influence in this region with China. China is actively trying to woo island nations in the Pacific with an array of diplomatic and financial incentives in return for strategic support. US President Joe Biden has placed more importance on the region given the situation. "We are elevating to a specific defence cooperation agreement, something that is falling short of a treaty," he told a press conference. "We are moving ahead, we are signing with the best military on the face of planet Earth." What are the pacts? PM Marape said that the two agreements will focus on defence co-operation and maritime surveillance. The pact will be formally signed at the earliest after parliamentary approval. These agreements can be renewed every 15 years. They will give the US vital manoeuvrability in Papua New Guinea's waters which are near to sea routes to Australia and Japan. US will in return will give access to satellite surveillance. "It now gives us an opportune time to focus not just on maritime access but satellite access on... illegal activities on the high sea," Marape said. Watch | China to host first in-person China-Central Asia Summit from 18 to 19 May × A leaked draft version of the defence cooperation agreement showed American forces would have broad autonomy at some of the country's key entry points, but Marape said any access would have to be approved by his government. "The ports, the infrastructure... will not in any way stand to be exclusively used by the military," he said. "They would always be asking our defence to have access to our facilities." The visit that almost happened Biden was due for a historic first visit to most populous South Pacific nation next week. But he had to cancel the trip because of domestic debt ceiling crisis talks. The White House said Biden called Marape from Air Force One on Thursday to inform him that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would instead attend the summit with Pacific leaders in Port Moresby on Monday. Also Read | China warns Western embassies in Beijing over ‘propaganda’ displays: Reports Biden invited Marape and other Pacific leaders to another summit in Washington later this year to carry on "discussions around enhancing US-Pacific cooperation", the White House said in a statement. Washington is courting Pacific nations more intensely after the Solomon Islands became the unlikely epicentre of a diplomatic tussle between the United States and China last year when it signed a security pact with Beijing. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Amid US-China competition in Pacific, Papua New Guinea to sign pact with Washington

The discovery of a leak at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon has created buzz worldwide. The hole at the Pacific Ocean’s bottom has been steadily leaking liquid into the ocean. This hole is about 80 km off the Oregon coast. Researchers are worrying that this hole could trigger a huge megathrust earthquake. However, it may not be as dramatic or sinister as originally thought.

What researchers are finding about the 'OCEAN LEAK' along Oregon Coast

Scientists have discovered a hole in the Pacific Ocean which spews hot liquid from inside. What is this doom hole capable of? Is climate change puncturing the ocean floors? Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Will the Pacific Ocean witness a mega quake?

Experts are on high alert after discovering a crack at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean that could trigger a magnitude 9 earthquake. The hole in the bottom of the ocean is spewing a liquid that keeps the tectonic plates lubricated.

A hole in the bottom of the ocean!

<p>Scientists have found a peculiar leak in the Pacific Ocean floor that may one day cause a massive earthquake. The leak, which was spotted off the Pacific coasts of the USA and Canada, expert says, has never been seen before.</p>

<p>This seep is known as Pythia's Oasis and is present in the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), a huge fault line that extends from Vancouver Island on Canada's west coast all the way down to Northern California.</p>

<p>CSZ is where two plates collide, but it's possible that this fluid is regulating pressure between the continental and oceanic plates.&nbsp;The water gushing out "like a firehose" is at the fault where underneath the temperatures are between 300 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why the water that is splashing out of the ocean floor about 50 miles offshore from Newport, Oregon is warmer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-approves-electronic-enlistment-bill-clamps-down-on-russians-who-dodge-military-service-582599">Putin approves electronic call-up bill, clamps down on Russians who dodge military service</a></p>

<p>In any case, if additional water keeps coming out, reports say, this may be increasing the pressure at the fault and stressing the two plates. Then, an earthquake could occur if the tension increases and the plates start to move.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Researchers at the University of Washington discovered a large amount of warm, "chemically distinct" liquid shooting up from the seafloor in the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the coast of Newport, Oregon. <a href="https://t.co/tam6eng2zk">https://t.co/tam6eng2zk</a> <a href="https://t.co/lFWzMhwq6z">pic.twitter.com/lFWzMhwq6z</a></p>
— IGN (@IGN) <a href="https://twitter.com/IGN/status/1646997072183275520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Scientists watched methane bubbles rising from a mile beneath the ocean. Evan Solomon, a University of Washington oceanographer and co-author of an article describing this phenomena published in the journal Scientific Advances said,&nbsp;“If the fluid pressure is high, it’s like the air is turned on, meaning there’s less friction and the two plates can slip.&nbsp;If the fluid pressure is lower, the two plates will lock.&nbsp;That’s when stress can build up.”</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-leak-us-president-biden-says-probe-will-examine-why-leaker-had-classified-access-582597">Pentagon leak: US President Biden says investigation will examine why leaker had classified access</a></p>

<p>“Fluid released from the fault zone is like leaking lubricant. That’s bad news for earthquake hazards: Less lubricant means stress can build to create a damaging quake.”</p>

<p>The authors of the research assert that Pythia's Oasis may not be the "only seep of its kind," but that there may be others close to the CSZ. The seismologists find that to be intriguing news.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Macron's pension reform gets constitutional green light despite raging protests</strong></p>

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<p>Co-author and professor of oceanography Deborah Kelley said: "Pythias Oasis provides a rare window into processes acting deep in the seafloor, and its chemistry suggests this fluid comes from near the plate boundary."</p>

<p>"This suggests that the nearby faults regulate fluid pressure and megathrust slip behaviour along the central Cascadia Subduction Zone."<br />
<br />
Explaining how they discovered the underground water, Solomon added: “They explored in that direction, and what they saw was not just methane bubbles, but water coming out of the seafloor like a firehose.”</p>

<p>“That’s something I’ve never seen and, to my knowledge, has not been observed before.” Reports said the seep could be an indication of a massive earthquake off the coast of North America.&nbsp;</p>

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Scientists have found a peculiar leak in the Pacific Ocean floor that may one day cause a massive earthquake. The leak, which was spotted off the Pacific coasts of the USA and Canada, expert says, has never been seen before.

Scientists have found a peculiar leak in the Pacific Ocean floor that may one day cause a massive earthquake. The leak, which was spotted off the Pacific coasts of the USA and Canada, expert says, has never been seen before. This seep is known as Pythia's Oasis and is present in the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), a huge fault line that extends from Vancouver Island on Canada's west coast all the way down to Northern California. CSZ is where two plates collide, but it's possible that this fluid is regulating pressure between the continental and oceanic plates. The water gushing out "like a firehose" is at the fault where underneath the temperatures are between 300 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why the water that is splashing out of the ocean floor about 50 miles offshore from Newport, Oregon is warmer. Also Read | Putin approves electronic call-up bill, clamps down on Russians who dodge military service In any case, if additional water keeps coming out, reports say, this may be increasing the pressure at the fault and stressing the two plates. Then, an earthquake could occur if the tension increases and the plates start to move. Researchers at the University of Washington discovered a large amount of warm, "chemically distinct" liquid shooting up from the seafloor in the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the coast of Newport, Oregon. https://t.co/tam6eng2zk pic.twitter.com/lFWzMhwq6z — IGN (@IGN) April 14, 2023 × Scientists watched methane bubbles rising from a mile beneath the ocean. Evan Solomon, a University of Washington oceanographer and co-author of an article describing this phenomena published in the journal Scientific Advances said, “If the fluid pressure is high, it’s like the air is turned on, meaning there’s less friction and the two plates can slip. If the fluid pressure is lower, the two plates will lock. That’s when stress can build up.” Also Read | Pentagon leak: US President Biden says investigation will examine why leaker had classified access “Fluid released from the fault zone is like leaking lubricant. That’s bad news for earthquake hazards: Less lubricant means stress can build to create a damaging quake.” The authors of the research assert that Pythia's Oasis may not be the "only seep of its kind," but that there may be others close to the CSZ. The seismologists find that to be intriguing news. Watch | Macron's pension reform gets constitutional green light despite raging protests × Co-author and professor of oceanography Deborah Kelley said: "Pythias Oasis provides a rare window into processes acting deep in the seafloor, and its chemistry suggests this fluid comes from near the plate boundary." "This suggests that the nearby faults regulate fluid pressure and megathrust slip behaviour along the central Cascadia Subduction Zone." Explaining how they discovered the underground water, Solomon added: “They explored in that direction, and what they saw was not just methane bubbles, but water coming out of the seafloor like a firehose.” “That’s something I’ve never seen and, to my knowledge, has not been observed before.” Reports said the seep could be an indication of a massive earthquake off the coast of North America. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Strange leak spotted in Pacific Ocean floor, scientists say it could cause massive earthquake

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<p>A group of friends had a narrow escape when their 44 ft sailboat was turned upside down by a giant whale in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. Rick Rodriguez, a resident of Florida in the US and three friends embarked on a three-week sailing trip from the Galápagos Islands to French Polynesia when the incident transpired.</p>

<p>On March 13, only 13 days since Rodriguez &amp; Co. started the voyage, the disaster struck. Half past one-thirty in the afternoon, the friends were preparing to enjoy a pizza for lunch when they heard a loud noise. Before the crew could react, the boat was flipped to its side. The whale had collided.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/whales-can-help-fight-the-climate-change-scientists-say-544934"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;Whales can help fight the climate change, scientists say</strong></a></p>

<p>“The second pizza had just come out of the oven, and I was dipping a slice into some ranch dressing. The back half of the boat lifted violently upward and to starboard," Rodriguez said to the Washington Post during an interview.</p>

<p>Five seconds after the collision, the alarm bell went ringing, warning that the boat was filling with water. The crew, which had decent boating experience quickly sprung into action and gathered food, fresh water, emergency equipment and other gear. They had food and water to last them at least three weeks if it came to the worst-case scenario.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Afterwards, they launched a lifeboat alongside a dinghy and jumped into the water. Prior to taking asylum in the lifeboat, Rodriguez placed a mayday call on a VHF radio. According to Rodriguez, the boat sank completely&nbsp;within 15 minutes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The crew spent 10 hours floating adrift before a civilian ship pulled them out of the ocean waters and onto the deck. Reflecting on the accident,&nbsp;Rodriguez said the entire group remained calm throughout the ordeal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There was never really much fear that we were in danger,” Rodriguez said. “Everything was in control as much as it could be for a boat sinking.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-whales-help-store-planet-heating-carbon-emissions-544848"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions</strong></a></p>

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<p>Since a worldwide database was launched in 2007, there have been 1,200 confirmed reports of whales and boats colliding.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A group of friends had a narrow escape when their 44 ft sailboat was turned upside down by a giant whale in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. Rick Rodriguez, a resident of Florida in the US and three friends embarked on a three-week sailing trip from the Galápagos Islands to French Polynesia when the incident transpired.

A group of friends had a narrow escape when their 44 ft sailboat was turned upside down by a giant whale in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. Rick Rodriguez, a resident of Florida in the US and three friends embarked on a three-week sailing trip from the Galápagos Islands to French Polynesia when the incident transpired. On March 13, only 13 days since Rodriguez & Co. started the voyage, the disaster struck. Half past one-thirty in the afternoon, the friends were preparing to enjoy a pizza for lunch when they heard a loud noise. Before the crew could react, the boat was flipped to its side. The whale had collided. ALSO READ | Whales can help fight the climate change, scientists say “The second pizza had just come out of the oven, and I was dipping a slice into some ranch dressing. The back half of the boat lifted violently upward and to starboard," Rodriguez said to the Washington Post during an interview. Five seconds after the collision, the alarm bell went ringing, warning that the boat was filling with water. The crew, which had decent boating experience quickly sprung into action and gathered food, fresh water, emergency equipment and other gear. They had food and water to last them at least three weeks if it came to the worst-case scenario. Afterwards, they launched a lifeboat alongside a dinghy and jumped into the water. Prior to taking asylum in the lifeboat, Rodriguez placed a mayday call on a VHF radio. According to Rodriguez, the boat sank completely within 15 minutes. The crew spent 10 hours floating adrift before a civilian ship pulled them out of the ocean waters and onto the deck. Reflecting on the accident, Rodriguez said the entire group remained calm throughout the ordeal. “There was never really much fear that we were in danger,” Rodriguez said. “Everything was in control as much as it could be for a boat sinking.” WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions × Since a worldwide database was launched in 2007, there have been 1,200 confirmed reports of whales and boats colliding. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Megalophobia activated: Giant whale sinks 44 ft boat in Pacific Ocean

<p>Three months and thousands of kilometres: that's how much Moon the humpback whale has travelled, that too with a broken back.</p>

<p>Navigating ocean swells and currents, in immense pain the whale has travelled 5,000km (3,100 miles)&nbsp;all the way from British Columbia to Hawaii. However, as per The North Coast Cetacean Society a.k.a., BC Whales, &nbsp;it is likely that Moon will die soon.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker | Study: Blue Whales eat 10 million pieces of microplastics daily</strong></p>

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<p>The non-profit whale-research organisation that is dedicated to the research and protection of cetaceans along the northern coast of British Columbia, as per Guardian said that Moon's story is a stark reminder of the growing dangers that these gentle marine giants face along Canada's west coast.</p>

<p>"It’s absolutely amazing...but also it just breaks your heart," said Janie Wray the CEO of BC Whales, as she talked about the whale's long migratory journey that too without the use of her tail due to the broken back.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chimpanzees-show-objects-to-others-just-like-humans-to-simply-grab-attention-study-534256" hreflang="en">Chimpanzees show objects to others, just like humans to simply grab attention: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>The organisation as per a post on Instagram first noticed Moon's injury on September 7.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As our drone hovered overhead we immediately recognized that this whale had been struck by a vessel due to the unnatural ‘S’ bend in the spine from the dorsal fin to her fluke," said the organisation, adding "In her current condition, she will not survive to make the return journey."</p>

<p><img alt="Moon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39a5f306-7e1d-4efb-9229-5fd778011667" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2817%29_1.png" /></p>

<p><sup><strong>Image courtesy: BC Whales/Instagram</strong></sup></p>

<p>On December 1, the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) spotted a whale with a severely deformed spine and it was soon confirmed that it was Moon. Humpback whales have a " tradition of migrating between feeding and breeding grounds". She was most probably born in Hawaii which is a breeding ground for whales like her.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>When spotted with the deformity the second time, she was found to be "emancipated and covered with whale lice as a testament to her severely depreciated condition."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/climate-change-may-kill-65-per-cent-of-insects-on-earth-says-a-study-533970" hreflang="en">Climate change may kill 65 per cent of insects on Earth, says a study</a></strong></p>

<p>"This is the stark reality of a vessel strike, and it speaks to the extended suffering that whales can endure afterwards, " said the whale protection organisation in its post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BC Whales further said that while we may never truly understand the strength it must've taken for Moon to complete this journey, the tenacity must be respected.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that we must "recognise that vessel strikes lead to a devastating end," and urged boaters to be aware of the local laws and best practices. It further urged mariners to "stay alert, slow down and wait" adding that vessels of all sizes "can be a threat".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Three months and thousands of kilometres: that's how much Moon the humpback whale has travelled, that too with a broken back. Navigating ocean swells and currents, in immense pain the whale has travelled 5,000km (3,100 miles) all the way from British Columbia to Hawaii.

Three months and thousands of kilometres: that's how much Moon the humpback whale has travelled, that too with a broken back. Navigating ocean swells and currents, in immense pain the whale has travelled 5,000km (3,100 miles) all the way from British Columbia to Hawaii. However, as per The North Coast Cetacean Society a.k.a., BC Whales, it is likely that Moon will die soon. Watch | WION Climate Tracker | Study: Blue Whales eat 10 million pieces of microplastics daily The non-profit whale-research organisation that is dedicated to the research and protection of cetaceans along the northern coast of British Columbia, as per Guardian said that Moon's story is a stark reminder of the growing dangers that these gentle marine giants face along Canada's west coast. "It’s absolutely amazing...but also it just breaks your heart," said Janie Wray the CEO of BC Whales, as she talked about the whale's long migratory journey that too without the use of her tail due to the broken back. Also read | Chimpanzees show objects to others, just like humans to simply grab attention: Study The organisation as per a post on Instagram first noticed Moon's injury on September 7. "As our drone hovered overhead we immediately recognized that this whale had been struck by a vessel due to the unnatural ‘S’ bend in the spine from the dorsal fin to her fluke," said the organisation, adding "In her current condition, she will not survive to make the return journey." Image courtesy: BC Whales/Instagram On December 1, the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) spotted a whale with a severely deformed spine and it was soon confirmed that it was Moon. Humpback whales have a " tradition of migrating between feeding and breeding grounds". She was most probably born in Hawaii which is a breeding ground for whales like her. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BCWhales (@bcwhales) × When spotted with the deformity the second time, she was found to be "emancipated and covered with whale lice as a testament to her severely depreciated condition." Also read | Climate change may kill 65 per cent of insects on Earth, says a study "This is the stark reality of a vessel strike, and it speaks to the extended suffering that whales can endure afterwards, " said the whale protection organisation in its post. BC Whales further said that while we may never truly understand the strength it must've taken for Moon to complete this journey, the tenacity must be respected. It added that we must "recognise that vessel strikes lead to a devastating end," and urged boaters to be aware of the local laws and best practices. It further urged mariners to "stay alert, slow down and wait" adding that vessels of all sizes "can be a threat". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Absolutely amazing...but also breaks your heart': Moon the humpback whale travels 5000kms with a broken back

Australia and Maldives said have clarified that they did not participate in the recently held Indian Ocean Region Forum convened by China. Watch full video to know more.

Australia, Maldives officials deny attending China’s Indian Ocean meet

Marine creatures have been bearing the brunt of warming ocean temperatures and increased dumping of pollutants in the water bodies but in an uplifting news study shows that a huge marine reserve in Pacific Ocean has led to the recovery of Tuna and other migratory fish around its borders.

WION Climate Tracker: Protected marine reserve in Hawaii boosts Tuna population in Pacific Ocean

<p>The Arctic Ocean and Caribbean Sea will vanish in the next 200 to 300 million years, and Asia will collide with the Americas to form a new supercontinent named Amasia, according to scientists.</p>

<p>The Pacific Ocean is reportedly receding by almost an inch a year, according to researchers at Curtin University in Australia and Peking University in China. They therefore think that the Americas and Asia will eventually collide to form a new supercontinent called Amasia at some point in the future, perhaps within 200 million to 300 million years, when the Earth's landmasses would join together.</p>

<p>"Over the past two billion years, Earth's continents have collided together to form a supercontinent every 600 million years, known as the supercontinent cycle. This means that the current continents are due to come together again in a couple of hundred of million years' time," said Dr Chuan Huang, lead author of a study published in the journal&nbsp;National Science Review.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/36-years-after-catastrophic-event-chernobyl-disaster-spawns-mutant-frogs-523687">36 years after catastrophic event, Chernobyl nuclear disaster spawns 'mutant frogs'</a></p>

<p>Researchers said that introversion and extroversion are two very different processes thought to have generated Earth's supercontinents. The Independent reports the study saying, "The latter entails the closure of the prior exterior superocean, whilst the former requires the closure of the interior oceans generated during the break-up of the previous supercontinent."</p>

<p>The new supercontinent, according to experts, will eventually form on top of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/when-an-isro-scientist-said-mangalyaan-was-running-really-low-on-fuel-522051">Earth</a> and sag south toward the equator. If this does occur, Antarctica may stay uninhabited at the bottom of the globe.</p>

<p>According to the study, Eurasia and the Americas are moving more slowly toward the Pacific Ocean whereas Australia is already drifting toward Asia at a rate of roughly 7 centimetres each year.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/snoopy-is-going-to-space-again-nasa-shares-inside-details-about-his-moon-mission-via-a-new-video-watch-523257">Snoopy is going to space again! NASA shares BTS video of beagle's new Moon mission</a></p>

<p>Our world will likely look very different from how it does today as a result of the birth of the new supercontinent, according to the researchers' findings.&nbsp;"Currently, Earth consists of seven continents with widely different ecosystems and human cultures, so it would be fascinating to think what the world might look like in 200 million to 300 million years' time," they said.</p>

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The Arctic Ocean and Caribbean Sea will vanish in the next 200 to 300 million years, and Asia will collide with the Americas to form a new supercontinent named Amasia, according to scientists.

The Arctic Ocean and Caribbean Sea will vanish in the next 200 to 300 million years, and Asia will collide with the Americas to form a new supercontinent named Amasia, according to scientists. The Pacific Ocean is reportedly receding by almost an inch a year, according to researchers at Curtin University in Australia and Peking University in China. They therefore think that the Americas and Asia will eventually collide to form a new supercontinent called Amasia at some point in the future, perhaps within 200 million to 300 million years, when the Earth's landmasses would join together. "Over the past two billion years, Earth's continents have collided together to form a supercontinent every 600 million years, known as the supercontinent cycle. This means that the current continents are due to come together again in a couple of hundred of million years' time," said Dr Chuan Huang, lead author of a study published in the journal National Science Review. Also read | 36 years after catastrophic event, Chernobyl nuclear disaster spawns 'mutant frogs' Researchers said that introversion and extroversion are two very different processes thought to have generated Earth's supercontinents. The Independent reports the study saying, "The latter entails the closure of the prior exterior superocean, whilst the former requires the closure of the interior oceans generated during the break-up of the previous supercontinent." The new supercontinent, according to experts, will eventually form on top of the Earth and sag south toward the equator. If this does occur, Antarctica may stay uninhabited at the bottom of the globe. According to the study, Eurasia and the Americas are moving more slowly toward the Pacific Ocean whereas Australia is already drifting toward Asia at a rate of roughly 7 centimetres each year. Also read | Snoopy is going to space again! NASA shares BTS video of beagle's new Moon mission Our world will likely look very different from how it does today as a result of the birth of the new supercontinent, according to the researchers' findings. "Currently, Earth consists of seven continents with widely different ecosystems and human cultures, so it would be fascinating to think what the world might look like in 200 million to 300 million years' time," they said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Scientists predict the formation of new supercontinent 'Amasia' when Pacific Ocean disappears

<p>Earth and its distinct terrains have been formed over the course of millions of years. Sometimes an entire mountain range can be formed due to earthquakes caused by the movement of tectonic plates while at other times, a volcanic eruption can build new islands.</p>

<p>While we may have been a few million&nbsp;years late to observe how the Himalayan mountain range or the Andes had formed, scientists have discovered a 'baby'&nbsp;island in the Central Tonga islands, which is currently in its infancy.</p>

<p>Reportedly, the&nbsp;baby&nbsp;island has been born in the region due to an underwater volcano spewing lava, steam, and ash.&nbsp;A statement released by NASA Earth Observatory noted that one of the submerged volcanoes in the region awoke on September 10 and blasted its matter outside.</p>

<p>Within 11 hours after the volcanic eruption, the new island started to take shape above the water's surface which was visible in the images captured by NASA through satellites.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/artemis-i-mission-nasa-delays-launch-of-its-new-moon-rocket-due-to-storm-ian-519351">Artemis I mission: NASA delays launch of its new moon rocket due to Storm Ian</a></p>

<p>The scientists at NASA reported that by September 14, the estimated area of the island had grown to 4,000 square metres with an elevation of 10 metres. A week later on September 20, the island was sprawling across an area of 24,000 square metres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Tonga Geological Services, the exact location of the nascent island lies&nbsp; northeast&nbsp;of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai, and northwest of Mo‘unga‘one.</p>

<p>“The volcano poses low risks to the aviation community and the residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai.&nbsp;All mariners are, however, advised to sail beyond 4 kilometers away from Home Reef until further notice,” informed the Tonga Geological Services in a statement.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>While it is indeed fascinating and rather miraculous to witness an island develop in front of our eyes, such volcanic islands often have a short shelf life. However, a few exceptions do exist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers observing the island stated that the island could grow more as the home reef volcano was still erupting.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Earth and its distinct terrains have been formed over the course of millions of years. Sometimes an entire mountain range can be formed due to earthquakes caused by the movement of tectonic plates while at other times, a volcanic eruption can build new islands.

Earth and its distinct terrains have been formed over the course of millions of years. Sometimes an entire mountain range can be formed due to earthquakes caused by the movement of tectonic plates while at other times, a volcanic eruption can build new islands. While we may have been a few million years late to observe how the Himalayan mountain range or the Andes had formed, scientists have discovered a 'baby' island in the Central Tonga islands, which is currently in its infancy. Reportedly, the baby island has been born in the region due to an underwater volcano spewing lava, steam, and ash. A statement released by NASA Earth Observatory noted that one of the submerged volcanoes in the region awoke on September 10 and blasted its matter outside. Within 11 hours after the volcanic eruption, the new island started to take shape above the water's surface which was visible in the images captured by NASA through satellites. Read more: Artemis I mission: NASA delays launch of its new moon rocket due to Storm Ian The scientists at NASA reported that by September 14, the estimated area of the island had grown to 4,000 square metres with an elevation of 10 metres. A week later on September 20, the island was sprawling across an area of 24,000 square metres. According to Tonga Geological Services, the exact location of the nascent island lies northeast of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai, and northwest of Mo‘unga‘one. “The volcano poses low risks to the aviation community and the residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai. All mariners are, however, advised to sail beyond 4 kilometers away from Home Reef until further notice,” informed the Tonga Geological Services in a statement. × While it is indeed fascinating and rather miraculous to witness an island develop in front of our eyes, such volcanic islands often have a short shelf life. However, a few exceptions do exist. The researchers observing the island stated that the island could grow more as the home reef volcano was still erupting. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Baby island, in its infancy, discovered in Pacific Ocean after an underwater volcanic eruption

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<p>New research reveals that more than 90% of vast floating 'garbage' patch of plastic in the Pacific Ocean comes from just six countries. The research specifies that most of the garbage patch is coming from overfishing in two countries—Japan and China.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After analysis and proper sampling, a team of researchers with the Ocean Cleanup project and Wageningen University published on Thursday (September 1) their report in the&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Scientific Reports&nbsp;</em>journal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The paper mentioned that the subtropical oceanic gyre in the North Pacific Ocean is currently covered with tens of thousands of tonnes of floating plastic debris.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That debris is apparently dispersed over millions of square kilometres. The accumulation zone is referred to as the North Pacific Garbage Patch (NPGP).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previously, experts have noted how the garbage patch gradually becomes a sign of how the global ocean is impacted due to the widescale use of plastics and their discarding.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study noted that a large fraction of the garbage is composed of fishing nets and ropes. Meanwhile, the rest is mostly composed of hard plastic objects and fragments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are times when plastic carries identifiable evidence of its origin, which helps the experts to find out the country from where the plastic has originated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the new research, scientists analysed around 573 kilograms of dry hard plastic debris that was collected with help from The Ocean Cleanup organization in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the analysis, they found that more than a quarter of the fragments were from 'abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear' (known as ALDFG).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers were able to find out the country of origin of 232 objects. As per the study, the largest percentage is from Japan at 33.6%. China was next at 32.3%, South Korea at 9.9%, the United States at 6.5%, Taiwan at 5.6% and Canada at 4.7%.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the calculations by the researchers, the trash in the NPGP was 10 times more likely to come from fishing activities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Oceanic sources such as inputs from fisheries have commonly been attributed about half of a million tonnes [of plastic waste] per year, but this estimate which has been repeatedly cited over the years, was misinterpreted from an initial study dating back to the 1970s," the authors write in their paper.&nbsp;</p>

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New research reveals that more than 90% of vast floating 'garbage' patch of plastic in the Pacific Ocean comes from just six countries. The research specifies that most of the garbage patch is coming from overfishing in two countries—Japan and China.

New research reveals that more than 90% of vast floating 'garbage' patch of plastic in the Pacific Ocean comes from just six countries. The research specifies that most of the garbage patch is coming from overfishing in two countries—Japan and China. After analysis and proper sampling, a team of researchers with the Ocean Cleanup project and Wageningen University published on Thursday (September 1) their report in the Scientific Reports journal. The paper mentioned that the subtropical oceanic gyre in the North Pacific Ocean is currently covered with tens of thousands of tonnes of floating plastic debris. That debris is apparently dispersed over millions of square kilometres. The accumulation zone is referred to as the North Pacific Garbage Patch (NPGP). Previously, experts have noted how the garbage patch gradually becomes a sign of how the global ocean is impacted due to the widescale use of plastics and their discarding. The study noted that a large fraction of the garbage is composed of fishing nets and ropes. Meanwhile, the rest is mostly composed of hard plastic objects and fragments. There are times when plastic carries identifiable evidence of its origin, which helps the experts to find out the country from where the plastic has originated. In the new research, scientists analysed around 573 kilograms of dry hard plastic debris that was collected with help from The Ocean Cleanup organization in 2019. During the analysis, they found that more than a quarter of the fragments were from 'abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear' (known as ALDFG). The researchers were able to find out the country of origin of 232 objects. As per the study, the largest percentage is from Japan at 33.6%. China was next at 32.3%, South Korea at 9.9%, the United States at 6.5%, Taiwan at 5.6% and Canada at 4.7%. As per the calculations by the researchers, the trash in the NPGP was 10 times more likely to come from fishing activities. "Oceanic sources such as inputs from fisheries have commonly been attributed about half of a million tonnes [of plastic waste] per year, but this estimate which has been repeatedly cited over the years, was misinterpreted from an initial study dating back to the 1970s," the authors write in their paper. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Majority of floating 'garbage' patch of plastic in Pacific Ocean comes from just six countries

Chilean swimmer Barbara Hernandez said she received a Guinness world record after swimming between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in Southern Chile.

Chilean swimmer breaks world record, swims one nautical mile in 15.3 seconds

<p>A rare species of ‘giant’ tortoise, long believed to have gone extinct, has been found alive after over a century on the Galápagos Islands— a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. The scientists are calling it a ‘big deal’.</p>

<p>The animal, which belongs to the rare&nbsp;<em>Chelonoidis phantasticus&nbsp;</em>species, has been named Fernanda after her Fernandina Island home, a largely unexplored active volcano in the western Galápagos Archipelago.</p>

<p>She is the first of her species identified in more than 100 years. A male species was found in 1906 by the explorer Rollo Beck during an expedition.</p>

<p>Fernanda was discovered in 2019, roaming inside a vegetation clump among the solidified lava of the islet, reports The Guardian. The researchers were able to confirm that the rare phantasticus species wasn’t extinct after they took a DNA sample to match it with the 1906 tortoise.</p>

<p>The researchers from Princeton University sequenced the genome of both the 1906 and the 2019 tortoise, matching them as members of the same species of giant tortoise, which was genetically different from the other 13 species of tortoise found in the Galápagos.</p>

<p>All giant Galápagos tortoises are all listed on the IUCN Red List from vulnerable to critically endangered, with one species already extinct.</p>

<p>“Everything that we knew about this species said it was extinct,” said Stephen Gaughran told The Guardian.</p>

<p>Gaughran is an ecology and evolutionary biology researcher at Princeton University and one of the lead authors of the&nbsp;study&nbsp;that announced the finding. His study was published on Thursday in the journal Communications Biology.</p>

<p>&nbsp;“So, it’s a big deal for a species that we thought was extinct for a hundred years to suddenly appear here.”</p>

<p>The research further suggest that Fernanda might not have been the only giant tortoise that got to the island and that there could have been populations of the tortoise on the island at some point.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A rare species of ‘giant’ tortoise, long believed to have gone extinct, has been found alive after over a century on the Galápagos Islands— a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.

A rare species of ‘giant’ tortoise, long believed to have gone extinct, has been found alive after over a century on the Galápagos Islands— a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. The scientists are calling it a ‘big deal’. The animal, which belongs to the rare Chelonoidis phantasticus species, has been named Fernanda after her Fernandina Island home, a largely unexplored active volcano in the western Galápagos Archipelago. She is the first of her species identified in more than 100 years. A male species was found in 1906 by the explorer Rollo Beck during an expedition. Fernanda was discovered in 2019, roaming inside a vegetation clump among the solidified lava of the islet, reports The Guardian. The researchers were able to confirm that the rare phantasticus species wasn’t extinct after they took a DNA sample to match it with the 1906 tortoise. The researchers from Princeton University sequenced the genome of both the 1906 and the 2019 tortoise, matching them as members of the same species of giant tortoise, which was genetically different from the other 13 species of tortoise found in the Galápagos. All giant Galápagos tortoises are all listed on the IUCN Red List from vulnerable to critically endangered, with one species already extinct. “Everything that we knew about this species said it was extinct,” said Stephen Gaughran told The Guardian. Gaughran is an ecology and evolutionary biology researcher at Princeton University and one of the lead authors of the study that announced the finding. His study was published on Thursday in the journal Communications Biology. “So, it’s a big deal for a species that we thought was extinct for a hundred years to suddenly appear here.” The research further suggest that Fernanda might not have been the only giant tortoise that got to the island and that there could have been populations of the tortoise on the island at some point. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Giant tortoise believed to be extinct a century ago found alive on Galapagos Islands

<p>Officially it is just a research vessel, but China's newly unveiled&nbsp;drone&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;is a clear sign Beijing is rushing to deploy an autonomous swarm of unmanned devices in its push for military supremacy in the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p>State media last month showed the launching of the Zhu Hai Yun -- "Zhu Hai Cloud" -- capable of transporting an unspecified number of flying drones as well as surface and submarine craft, and operating autonomously thanks to artificial intelligence.</p>

<p>The 89-metre (292-foot) ship would be operational by year-end with a top speed of 18 knots, vastly increasing China's surveillance potential of the vast Pacific area it considers its zone of influence.</p>

<p>"The vessel is not only an unprecedented precision tool at the frontier of marine science, but also a platform for marine disaster prevention and mitigation, seabed precision mapping, marine environment monitoring, and maritime search and rescue," Chen Dake, lab director at the firm that built the&nbsp;carrier, told China Daily.</p>

<p>Armies worldwide see&nbsp;drone&nbsp;squadrons as key players in combat, able to overwhelm defence systems by sheer numbers and without putting soldiers' lives at risk, such as with more expensive jets or tanks.</p>

<p>"It's probably a first-of-its-kind development but other navies across the world, including the US Navy, are experimenting with remote warfare capabilities in the maritime domain," said US Army Lieutenant Colonel Paul Lushenko, who is also an international relations specialist at Cornell University in New York.</p>

<p>Even if the vessel's actual capabilities remain to be seen, Beijing is broadcasting its intent to cement territorial claims in the region, as seen with the security partnership agreed last month with the Solomon Islands northeast of Australia.</p>

<p>"It's definitely imposing, provocative, escalatory and aggressive," Lushenko told AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Collective intelligence</strong></p>

<p>Building fleets of autonomous and relatively inexpensive drones would greatly augment China's ability to enforce so-called anti-access and area denial (A2-AD) in the Pacific, with the aim of weakening decades of US influence.</p>

<p>Unlike traditional aircraft carriers or destroyers carrying hundreds of troops, the&nbsp;drone&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;could itself navigate for longer periods while sending out devices that create a surveillance "net," potentially able to fire missiles as well.</p>

<p>The Zhu Hai Yun could also improve China's mapping of the seafloor, providing a covert advantage for its submarines.</p>

<p>"These are capabilities that are likely to be critical in any future conflicts that China wages, including over the island of Taiwan," strategists Joseph Trevithick and Oliver Parken wrote on the influential War Zone site.</p>

<p>Beijing has made no secret of its desire to wrest control of Taiwan, and military experts say it is closely watching the West's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine to gauge how and when it might make its move.</p>

<p>And last month, Chinese researchers published a&nbsp;drone&nbsp;swarm experiment allegedly showing 10 devices autonomously navigating a dense patch of bamboo forest, without crashing into the trees or each other.</p>

<p>"The ultimate goal is something that has a collective intelligence," said Jean-Marc Rickli, head of risks at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.</p>

<p>"The analogy is a bit like a school of fish. They create forms in the water that are not the decision of any single fish, but the result of their collective intelligence," he told AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Game-changer</strong></p>

<p>It would be a big technological advance from current weapons, which can be programmed and semi-autonomous but must have human operators to react to unexpected challenges.</p>

<p>A fleet of self-navigating drones could in theory incapacitate defence systems or advancing forces by sheer numbers, saturating combat zones on land or at sea until an opponent's arsenal is depleted.</p>

<p>"A conventional attack becomes impossible when you're facing dozens, hundreds or thousands of devices that are much cheaper to develop and operate than heavy conventional weapons," Rickli said.</p>

<p>Noting this profound shift in modern warfare, a RAND Corporation study from 2020 found that while unmanned vehicles need significant improvements in onboard processing, "the overall computing capability required will be modest by modern standards -- certainly less than that of a contemporary smartphone."</p>

<p>"A squadron of approximately 900 personnel, properly equipped and trained, could launch and recover 300 L-CAATs every six hours, for a total of 1,200 sorties per day," it said, referring to low-cost attributable aircraft technology -- meaning devices so cheap an army can afford to lose them.</p>

<p>"We do have indications that China is making rapid capabilities development," Lushenko said of Beijing's new&nbsp;drone&nbsp;carrier.</p>

<p>"What we lack is empirical data to suggest that China's one-party state can actually employ the ship in an integrated fashion in conflict."</p>

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Officially it is just a research vessel, but China's newly unveiled drone carrier is a clear sign Beijing is rushing to deploy an autonomous swarm of unmanned devices in its push for military supremacy in the Pacific Ocean.

Officially it is just a research vessel, but China's newly unveiled drone carrier is a clear sign Beijing is rushing to deploy an autonomous swarm of unmanned devices in its push for military supremacy in the Pacific Ocean. State media last month showed the launching of the Zhu Hai Yun -- "Zhu Hai Cloud" -- capable of transporting an unspecified number of flying drones as well as surface and submarine craft, and operating autonomously thanks to artificial intelligence. The 89-metre (292-foot) ship would be operational by year-end with a top speed of 18 knots, vastly increasing China's surveillance potential of the vast Pacific area it considers its zone of influence. "The vessel is not only an unprecedented precision tool at the frontier of marine science, but also a platform for marine disaster prevention and mitigation, seabed precision mapping, marine environment monitoring, and maritime search and rescue," Chen Dake, lab director at the firm that built the carrier, told China Daily. Armies worldwide see drone squadrons as key players in combat, able to overwhelm defence systems by sheer numbers and without putting soldiers' lives at risk, such as with more expensive jets or tanks. "It's probably a first-of-its-kind development but other navies across the world, including the US Navy, are experimenting with remote warfare capabilities in the maritime domain," said US Army Lieutenant Colonel Paul Lushenko, who is also an international relations specialist at Cornell University in New York. Even if the vessel's actual capabilities remain to be seen, Beijing is broadcasting its intent to cement territorial claims in the region, as seen with the security partnership agreed last month with the Solomon Islands northeast of Australia. "It's definitely imposing, provocative, escalatory and aggressive," Lushenko told AFP. Collective intelligence Building fleets of autonomous and relatively inexpensive drones would greatly augment China's ability to enforce so-called anti-access and area denial (A2-AD) in the Pacific, with the aim of weakening decades of US influence. Unlike traditional aircraft carriers or destroyers carrying hundreds of troops, the drone carrier could itself navigate for longer periods while sending out devices that create a surveillance "net," potentially able to fire missiles as well. The Zhu Hai Yun could also improve China's mapping of the seafloor, providing a covert advantage for its submarines. "These are capabilities that are likely to be critical in any future conflicts that China wages, including over the island of Taiwan," strategists Joseph Trevithick and Oliver Parken wrote on the influential War Zone site. Beijing has made no secret of its desire to wrest control of Taiwan, and military experts say it is closely watching the West's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine to gauge how and when it might make its move. And last month, Chinese researchers published a drone swarm experiment allegedly showing 10 devices autonomously navigating a dense patch of bamboo forest, without crashing into the trees or each other. "The ultimate goal is something that has a collective intelligence," said Jean-Marc Rickli, head of risks at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. "The analogy is a bit like a school of fish. They create forms in the water that are not the decision of any single fish, but the result of their collective intelligence," he told AFP. Game-changer It would be a big technological advance from current weapons, which can be programmed and semi-autonomous but must have human operators to react to unexpected challenges. A fleet of self-navigating drones could in theory incapacitate defence systems or advancing forces by sheer numbers, saturating combat zones on land or at sea until an opponent's arsenal is depleted. "A conventional attack becomes impossible when you're facing dozens, hundreds or thousands of devices that are much cheaper to develop and operate than heavy conventional weapons," Rickli said. Noting this profound shift in modern warfare, a RAND Corporation study from 2020 found that while unmanned vehicles need significant improvements in onboard processing, "the overall computing capability required will be modest by modern standards -- certainly less than that of a contemporary smartphone." "A squadron of approximately 900 personnel, properly equipped and trained, could launch and recover 300 L-CAATs every six hours, for a total of 1,200 sorties per day," it said, referring to low-cost attributable aircraft technology -- meaning devices so cheap an army can afford to lose them. "We do have indications that China is making rapid capabilities development," Lushenko said of Beijing's new drone carrier. "What we lack is empirical data to suggest that China's one-party state can actually employ the ship in an integrated fashion in conflict." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

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