A mud volcano, the blessing is deep under the icy water of the ocean, growing with sea life, scientists have confirmed. Borelis mud volcano, 400 meters below the surface, releases continuous methane-rich fluids, forms a unique deep sea ecosystem that researchers believe that now acts as a sanctuary for weaker species Does. Barent Sagar is in the Arctic Ocean, north of Norway and Russia.
The Borelis Mud volcano was discovered by UIT scientists in 2023 – a remote -operated vehicle (ROV) called Arora by the Arctic University of Norway. The ROV captured the high-resolution footage and collected the samples collected, showing the sea explosion around the volcano covered with carbonate deposits. This shows that methane has been seeping from the site for thousands of years.
Unlike regular volcanoes, which exploded with lava, clay volcanoes released mud, gases and water from under the earth’s crust. The methane-rich environment in Borelis has created a unique ecosystem where marine life has adapted and prosperous.
Despite its extreme atmosphere, Borelis Mud is running with a volcanic life. ROV footage and samples detected a variety of marine organisms, including anemia, tube-niwas insects, called Serpulida, sea slugs (nudibranch), and small hydroid colonies stick to volcano crusts. The rare octocoil colonies, which usually thrive in deep sea residences, were also seen.
Carbonate structures around the volcano serve as a refuge from a habitat and bottom, which offers a feeding ground for the fish. Scientists recorded Saithe’s large schools, spoted volfish, and various raidfish species, including endangered Atlantic Redfish, which is severely high and currently preserved under a fishing stop.
However, not all conclusions were positive. Researchers also saw evidence of human activity encroaching on this delicate ecosystem, also saw a fishing gear around the entangled carbonate rocks.
“Borelis is an oasis where various species can thrive and thrive,” the study’s lead author Giuliana Paneri said, who is a professor in the Arctic University of Norway.
Scientists are calling Borelis Mud volcanoes “real fact sanctuary” for threatened species, which emphasize the need for protection efforts. Protecting this unique ecosystem, they argue, maintaining marine biodiversity and understanding how geology, geochemistry and biology interact in deep sea environment.
This discovery has widespread implications for ocean research. “Arctic seabed plays an important role in oil and gas extraction activities and emerging deep sea mining industry,” said Ms. Paniri. The study of natural methane emissions like people of the Borelis mud volcano can also provide insight into climate regulation, as methane is a powerful greenhouse gas.
