Amazing Underwater World Discovered

Scientists have discovered what they are calling a volcanic lost world off the coast of Australia's Tasmania island.

Researchers with the Australian National University were mapping the sea floor from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) research vessel Investigator when they discovered a "diverse chain of volcanic seamounts (or underwater mountains formed by volcanic activity) located in deep water" about 250 miles east of Tasmania, according to a press release.

The tallest of the seamounts, which are underwaters mountains formed by volcanic activity, towers some 10,000 feet above the seafloor. The peak of the volcano is 6,500 feet below the surface of the water.

Dr. Tara Martin of the CSIRO mapping team said the mapping exposed an "unseen and spectacular underwater world."

"Our multibeam mapping has revealed in vibrant detail, for the first time, a chain of volcanic seamounts rising up from an abyssal plain about 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) deep," said Martin.

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The team was surprised to find that the area is teeming with marine wildlife.

"This is a very diverse landscape and will undoubtedly be a biological hotspot that supports a dazzling array of marine life," said Martin. "Having detailed maps of such areas is important to help us better manage and protect these unique marine environments, and provides a stepping stone for future research."

Dr. Eric Woehler of BirdLife Tasmania was aboard the research vessel conducting seabird and marine mammal surveys and says he was "astounded by the amount of life they saw above the seamounts."

"While we were over the chain of seamounts, the ship was visited by large numbers of humpback and long-finned pilot whales," said Woehler. "We estimated that at least 28 individual humpback whales visited us on one day, followed by a pod of 60 to 80 long-finned pilot whales the next."

Scientists believe the seamounts might serve as navigational aids for migrating wildlife.

"These seamounts may act as an important signpost on an underwater migratory highway for the humpback whales we saw moving from their winter breeding to summer feeding grounds," said Woehler. "Lucky for us and our research, we parked right on top of this highway of marine life!"