A colossal seamount discovered off of the Eastern Pacific coast of Guatemala is setting new records in underwater discoveries. Scientists have estimated the submerged mountain known as “ Godzilla Seamount” to be twice the height of the world’s tallest building: The Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Godzilla Seamount was identified via a deep-water mapping survey carried out by the CONARE research vessel. The research vessel utilized an advanced underwater imaging system to accurately capture the shape and contours of the huge seamount, making it the largest yet discovered in the region.
The mountain is currently estimated to be 8,876 feet (2,727 meters) below the surface of the sea; however, since its peak extends past the sea level, the total height of Godzilla Seamount is thought to be over 8,848 feet (2,699 meters). That’s almost twice the height of the Burj Khalifa, measuring in at 2,717 feet (828 meters).
Furthermore, the lowered seabed levels as a result of Godzilla Seamount means that the country of Guatemala now has access to larger swathes of actual landmass. This is an exciting development for a country situated on the Central American isthmus, notorious for its seismic activities.
As for the Godzilla Seamount itself, scientists are currently conducting further research on the geological structure of the mountain in an attempt to gain further insight on the planet’s geological history. The mountainous underwater feature may be an extinct volcano, however, only further research can make this conclusion.
This mammoth underwater discovery is a testament to the remarkable strides taken in ocean research. The success of projects such as this offers boundless opportunities to explore further below the surface of the sea and discover more about our planet’s hidden mysteries.