Scientists discover a unique deep system in Papua New Guinea, where hot fluids and methane emerge simultaneously, creating a biodiversity not found anywhere else in the world.
Researchers have identified an unprecedented hydrothermal site off the coast of Papua New Guinea, where hot, mineral-rich fluids and methane-laden gases bubble to the surface almost simultaneously, a geological combination never seen anywhere else on Earth.
The field lies at a depth of 1,300 meters on the slope of Conical Seamount near Lihir Island and was discovered during an expedition in 2023, it notes Noi.md with reference to .
Scientists say the discovery reveals a rare hybrid environment with remarkable biodiversity but increasingly threatened by industrial activities.
Unlike most seafloor areas, where hydrothermal vents and methane seeps occur separately, the Conical Seamount consists of thick layers of organic-rich sediments heated by rising magma.
