America
'Underwater Land of Oz': 'Yellow Brick Road' found in Pacific Ocean bed off Hawaii
Washington, May 10
An ongoing underwater exploration expedition in the Pacific Ocean, just off the Hawaiian Islands, has come across what seems to be a "Yellow Brick Road", like the one taken by Dorothy and her friends to reach the 'Wizard of Oz', as per the engaging children's fable, reports said.
Exploration vessel Nautilus, which is currently surveying the Lili'uokalani ridge within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM), one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world and larger than all the national parks in the US combined, but barely surveyed so far, came across this "road", over 3,000 metres underwater, ScienceAlert reported.
The survey, being undertaken by the Ocean Exploration Trust, is being transmitted live and a recently published highlight reel on YouTube captured the moment researchers operating the deep-sea vehicle "stumbled upon the road to Oz", it said.
"It's the road to Atlantis," a researcher on the radio can be heard exclaiming.
"The yellow brick road?" another voice countered.
"This is bizarre," added another member of the team.
"Are you kidding me? This is crazy."
Despite being located under about thousands of metres of ocean, the lake bed, where the "road" was found, looks surprisingly dry. On the radio, the team notes that the ground looks almost like "baked crust" that could be peeled off.
In one tiny section, the volcanic rock has fractured in a way that looks strikingly similar to bricks.
"The unique 90-degree fractures are likely related to heating and cooling stress from multiple eruptions at this baked margin," read a caption to the YouTube video.
7 hours ago
Risk of famine still present in Gaza: WHO
7 hours ago
Over 400 hospitalised in Vietnam due to suspected food poisoning
7 hours ago
Germany summons Russian diplomat over cyberattack on ruling party
9 hours ago
Pew Research Center: Indian Migrants Among Top Three Asian Groups Sending Money Home
9 hours ago
Virginia Senator Hashmi is running for lieutenant governor and is trying to win over the party's endorsement.
9 hours ago
A vibrant and joyous Gujarat-Maharashtra Day celebration was conducted at the Indian Consulate in New York.
9 hours ago
Immigrants covered by Biden's health insurance programme will have more options
9 hours ago
Report suggests that US cows were likely infected with bird flu for at least four months prior to diagnosis.
9 hours ago
To back up Biden's claim that China, Russia, Japan, and India are "xenophobic," the White House has issued a statement.
10 hours ago
India retain top spot in ODIs, T20Is rankings after annual update
11 hours ago
Reluctant Rahul Gandhi finally steps in Raebareli to keep family flag high
11 hours ago
Ruchir Sharma's warning to West: Beware of bigger governments you wish for
11 hours ago
ChatGPT not reliable tool to gauge development delays in children, finds research