A newly discovered mysterious rock structure resembling a "yellow brick road" was recently discovered by deep-sea researchers off the coast of Hawaii on the Pacific Ocean floor.

The crew of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus were searching for underwater structures known as seamounts, which are created by volcanic activity, when they made the surprising discovery in an area of the Pacific Ocean called Lili'uokalani Ridge.

While live-streaming their findings, the researchers encountered a formation that appeared to be a man-made brick road made of rectangular blocks.

The team jokingly wondered if the yellow brick path they found at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean could be the "road to Atlantis," a fictional island mentioned by the Greek philosopher Plato.

However, the 'yellow brick road' is really an example of ancient active volcanic geological formations caused by a fractured flow of hyaloclastite rock (a volcanic rock formed in high-energy eruptions where many rock fragments settle to the seabed). The unique 90-degree fractures are likely related to heating and cooling stress from multiple eruptions.

An EVNautilus spokesperson said, "Our exploration of this never-before-surveyed area is helping researchers take a deeper look at life on and within the rocky slopes of these deep, ancient seamounts."

Scientists are studying the microbial communities residing within the ferromanganese crusts found over rock surfaces and how the characteristics of the crusts vary from region to region in ocean basins as well the microorganisms that live on and within them. These studies will help provide baseline information on the living communities of seamounts which can inform management and conservation measures.

You can learn more about this expedition funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute with additional support from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries here> https://nautl.us/37kH3ol