Diving deep: Unraveling the mysteries of the Melanesian Border Plateau
An unusual formation was discovered at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, and its origin remains a mystery to scientists. This structure, which is 120 million years old, is the subject of ongoing research and observation. Scholars believe it may play a key role in understanding the history of our planet.
Though humanity continually strives to unravel the mysteries of the universe and boldly explores space, many undiscovered secrets still lie here on Earth. At the heart of scientists' interest is an extraordinary formation hidden beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean. Its area exceeds 199,400 square kilometres, comparable to the size of the United Kingdom. This structure is known as the Melanesian Border Plateau.
Unique formation under the ocean
A publication in "Earth and Planetary Science Letters" reveals that the plateau is a unique geological formation dating back to the dinosaur era. Researchers analyzing rock samples from this area have concluded that this structure began to form during the Cretaceous period, around 120 million years ago.
During this period, a series of volcanic lava eruptions initiated the formation of numerous underwater mountains. The next phase occurred between 56 and 34 million years ago, when new mountains and islands formed due to intense volcanic activity. Over time, these formations underwent erosion and eventually became submerged.
The third phase of the plateau's formation occurred between 23 and 5 million years ago, with its most recent phase beginning about 5 million years ago and likely continuing to this day. Although the existence of this region has been known for a long time, scientists point out that many such formations develop over millions of years without any apparent impact on the environment. This lack of significant impact has so far limited the intensity of research on the Melanesian Border Plateau.
Recent studies indicate that at least 25 different volcanic structures contributed to the formation of the plateau. However, to better understand the history and development of our planet, scientists must continue their research. Their goal is to determine whether the current stage of the formation's development is indeed its final one.
Examining the mysteries of the Melanesian Border Plateau will allow scientists to gain a deeper understanding of tectonic mechanisms, which are crucial for analyzing earthquake and volcanic eruption processes. To obtain more samples from this extraordinary geological "birthmark" on Earth, researchers will need to organize many more expeditions.
