1. The Bloop: In 1997, an ultra-low-frequency and extremely loud sound was recorded in the Pacific Ocean. It was nicknamed “The Bloop” and was initially thought to be the sound of a massive sea creature. However, it was later identified as an icequake, possibly caused by the movement of icebergs.
2. The Baltic Sea Anomaly: In 2011, a mysterious object was discovered at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The anomaly had a circular shape and appeared to have unique features, such as a staircase-like structure. Speculations ranged from a crashed UFO to a submerged ancient structure, but the object’s origin remains unknown.
3. Underwater Crop Circles: In Japan, intricate geometric patterns known as “underwater crop circles” were found at the bottom of the ocean. These formations are created by a species of pufferfish called the Japanese pufferfish or pufferfish. Males create these patterns as a way to attract mates.
4. Giant Pyrosome Colonies: Pyrosomes are bizarre, tube-like creatures made up of hundreds or even thousands of individual zooids. They can form massive colonies that appear as translucent tubes floating in the ocean. These colonies can reach several meters in length and are often found in tropical and subtropical waters.
5. Vortexes of Garbage: Huge collections of floating debris, primarily consisting of plastic, have formed in various parts of the world’s oceans. Known as “garbage patches” or “vortexes of garbage,” the largest and most well-known is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. These areas highlight the alarming problem of marine pollution.
6. Yeti Crab: Discovered in 2005 near hydrothermal vents in the South Pacific Ocean, the Yeti crab, also known as the Kiwa hirsuta, has a hairy appearance and unique adaptations to its extreme deep-sea environment. Its claws are covered in long, filamentous setae that host bacteria, which the crab likely feeds on.
7. Underwater Rivers: Along the coasts of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, there are submerged rivers called “cenotes.” These underwater rivers are created by freshwater from underground cenotes mixing with saltwater from the ocean, forming a layer of freshwater flowing on top of the denser saltwater below.
8. Glowing Waves: Bioluminescent organisms can create mesmerizing displays in the ocean. When disturbed, certain species of phytoplankton or dinoflagellates emit light, causing the waves or the water itself to glow. This phenomenon, known as bioluminescence, can be seen in various coastal areas around the world.
9. Underwater Volcanoes: The ocean floor is dotted with underwater volcanoes, also known as seamounts. These volcanic structures can rise thousands of meters from the seafloor and often support unique ecosystems, attracting a wide variety of marine life.
10. Zombie Worms: Osedax, commonly referred to as “zombie worms,” are deep-sea creatures that feast on the bones of whale carcasses. These worms have no mouth or gut but rely on symbiotic bacteria to break down the whale bones, extracting nutrients from them. They have been found in various parts of the ocean.
