Megaplumes:Mysteries of the Oceans

Megaplumes-fact, or fiction, are they real, or fake? Megaplumes might seem to be found in only fictional books and movies, but somewhere in our vast world, these water-devils lurk the ocean floor. Megaplumes are being studied for a great number of reasons, because they are new discoveries, megaplumes can stir up the ocean’s floor carrying many particles along with it, and megaplumes can travel at great distances on the ocean floor. These great water cyclones are new to the scientific world, and there are a lot of questions on this discovery. Not much is known of this mysterious underwater disaster. These underwater cyclones resemble tornadoes thousands of feet below on the ocean floor, they are found in many places, and hold many unique ecosystems, and mysteries.
What is a megaplume? Megaplumes are underwater cyclones, a giant plume of upwelling molten material from Earth’s mantle. Megaplumes are humongous pockets of hot ocean water, heated by a dome of magma below Earth’s surface, and tectonic plate activity. These plumes are formed along midocean ridges, where tectonic plates are pulling apart from each other, while magma is rising from vents. Megaplumes are massive vortexes of hot water that are very hard to detect because they are found deep below the surface. This hot water can form a floating lens-like shape that can be 12 miles in diameter, and half a mile deep.
Megaplumes are found all over the ocean floor. The first megaplume ever discovered was in 1986, found about 300 miles west of Oregon, where the tectonic plates, Juan de Fuca and the U.S. North Pacific plates run parallel to each other. Scientists are studying the area of the Juan de Fuca plate for any signs of megaplumes, for this area is close to the coast of the United States. Since the first discovery of the megaplume near the two plates, scientists have been studying the Gorda Ridge and Axial Volcano. Also, a megaplume was just recently found in the Indian Ocean, probably caused from volcanic activity.
Megaplumes are very unique discoveries, there is still a lot to learn about these ocean secrets. Megaplumes can move horizontally, like a tornado, but underwater. They can move hundreds of miles in a matter of months before dissolving. While moving on the ocean floor, megaplumes can attract many different ocean particles, like minerals, gases, as well as underwater animals. They can transport the animals and minerals to places where they are not usually found. Megaplumes are like mobile ecosystems, where small bacteria and animals feed on foods and gases.
Megaplumes are big water cyclones found near midocean ridges, which attract many ocean animals. Megaplumes are hard to find in the vast ocean, and are bringing scientists many questions about what else they can find in our oceans. These underwater vortexes can produce lots of energy, up to 100,000 megawatts, compared to the 500 megawatts that hydrothermal vents produce. Megaplumes heat the surrounding ocean water, attracting ocean life to its heat. In conclusion, megaplumes are unique cyclones that are mysterious to scientists, and the world around us. –(HZ2)