The oceans contain great mysteries within their depths. While many of these mysteries have been explained by scientists and analysts, there are still quite a few unexplained oceanic enigmas that intrigue us. A variety of mysterious ocean phenomena have been seen and experienced by sailors around the world.
These various unexplained mysteries of the oceanic domain thus become interesting subjects of discussion and debate. Some such oceanic enigmas – both solved and unsolved ones
1 . Deepwater Photosynthesis
There may be no sunlight at the bottom of the ocean, but some bacteria near hydrothermal vents use the vents’ dim red glow to photosynthesize and produce food for themselves. Scientists are still trying to figure out how it’s all possible.
2. Upsweep
The NOAA listens to sounds from oceans all over the world. Most have been identified, but the sound known as upsweep remains elusive to understand. Upsweep is a few seconds of narrow-band upsweeping sounds and is most active in Spring and Autumn.
3. The Baltic Anomaly
The Baltic Anomaly is a still-unknown item in the Baltic Sea which some say could be a pre-Ice Age artifact or Nazi anti-submarine device. Oddly, divers’ electrical equipment stops functioning within 650 feet (200m) and a strong radio signal comes off from just near the item.
4. Bloop
The bloop is another sound picked up by NOAA in the Pacific, but what makes it unique is it was detected at monitoring stations over 3,100 miles (5,000kms) apart. NOAA has now concluded it was ice breaking off a glacier, but some of its scientists still believe it could be a massive marine creature.
5. Disappearances
The aviation industry has experienced numerous unexplained sea disappearances since its founding. Most recently with the Malaysian Airlines MH370 jet, one of the most famous pioneers, Amelia Earhart, also disappeared mysteriously. She and co-pilot Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Millions of dollars have been funneled into finding out the plane’s whereabouts with no success. Rumours include running out of gas and being killed by Japanese troops for spying.
6. Under(sea)ground Bacteria
You might think nothing can live beneath the sea floor, but scientists recently discovered bacteria living 1,000 feet (300m) feet below it. Found by drilling through sediment and crust, the bacteria was feeding off residue many millions of years old.
7. Hydrothermal Vent Worms
Looking like long lipstick containers, hydrothermal vent worms have neither a mouth nor digestive system. They thus rely on a relationship with bacteria which use chemicals to make food the worms can absorb.
8. Leptocephalus Giganteus
Only two of the eel species Leptocephalus giganteus were ever found, and both were larvae. The first (found off the South African coast) was six feet long and, extrapolated to adult size, could measure over 70 feet (21m) long.
9.Underwater Whirlpools
The closest comparison being an underwater tornado, whirlpools exist above some deep sea vents. In certain conditions, they can break away and swirl around like flying saucers, bringing heat, chemicals, and organisms across the ocean. It’s like the wind’s uptake of a dandelion’s spores.
10. Colossal Squid
But If you thought it couldn’t get bigger than the giant squid, think again. There’s even less known about the colossal squid which has eyes bigger than your hand. It predominantly lives in the Antarctic and has 25 rotating hooks on the end of each tentacle.
