Scientists find '2.6 million golden eggs' near an underwater volcano
Scientists find '2.6 million golden eggs' near an underwater volcano The eggs come from the Pacific white skate and were found in waters once thought too cold to support life. They can take up to 10 years to incubate.
Scientists are speaking out about a remarkable discovery: Millions of living eggs near an underwater volcano off the west coast of Canada.
"The whole thing is wild," lead researcher Cherisse Du Preez of Fisheries and Oceans Canada told USA TODAY in a May 20 email. "It challenges what we consider possible for life on this planet."
The discovery dates back to 2023, but has received rounds of media attention since then. More detailed research findings are due to be published in a Canadian government science report soon, Du Preez said.
The eggs, which come from the Pacific white skate, were found in waters once thought too cold to support life. The Pacific white skate is a "bone-white, bug-eyed relative of sharks that can live almost two miles underwater," according to National Geographic.
"Ours were the first dives on the volcano. No one knew the ancient underwater volcano was active, let alone emitting heat," said Du Preez. "And this geothermally heated hotspot was covered in giant eggs. We think the main nursery is home to 2.6 million golden eggs that take up to 10 years to incubate."
She said the skates choose to lay their eggs on the vents to help with incubation: "The deep sea is cold, and heat helps! To grow big, strong animals, some warmth helps."
The hot, mineral-rich fluid keeps the surrounding waters toasty, providing ideal conditions for some marine creatures to survive in the deep sea, Live Science said.
"As a first, we filmed the female laying eggs. It's out of this world, but at the same time >90% of the livable space on our planet is the deep sea," Du Preez concluded.
Du Preez posted video of the discovery, including a robotic arm lifting one of the eggs, which appeared a vibrant gold color.
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