No, this isn’t something we’ve dug up from a science fiction movie script!
Sharks have been discovered living in a submarine volcano off the coast of the remote Solomon Islands, by Ocean engineer Brennan Phillips and his team. The crew were in search of hydrothermal activity near the islands, which they certainly found a lot of. The main peak of the underwater volcano wasn’t erupting at the time of the expedition, allowing the team to drop their instruments, including a camera, into the crater. To their surprise, the footage revealed species of Hammerhead and Silky sharks residing in the crater, seeming to have adapted to the volatile conditions there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3t18rrjOA click the link to watch National Geographic’s video of the sharks.
Phillips and his crew have gone deeper than any geologists or biologists have ever gone before, and have proved that; the deeper you venture into the sea, the stranger it gets! Phillips explains “One of the videos from inside the main caldera of Kavachi (main peak of the volcano) shows some jellyfish hanging out. They seem to be there naturally. And then we see some snappers and some small fish … and then sharks start coming after the camera. Sharks are cool in their own right—all of them are—but a hammerhead is particularly neat looking. And they’re in there, in numbers, inside the volcano! Now I want to spend years trying to study that and why that is the case.”
We will look forward to hearing more about the history of these magnificent and unusual creatures as Phillips and the team embark on further research. The Solomon Islands are a popular destination for holiday makers, with scuba diving being one of the popular activities. There are all inclusive packages available through many travel agencies, perfect for both individuals seeking a travel group and families. The coral reefs surrounding the Solomon Islands hold a universe of underwater beauty. Though you might not bump into any sharks (we hope!), you’re sure to take in some of the extraordinary underwater flora and fauna the coast has to offer.
