Four extinct underwater volcanoes discovered off Sydney coastJuly 13, 2015 - 21:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A team of researchers has unexpectedly discovered four extinct underwater volcanoes off the coast of Sydney in Australia, according to BBC News. The team from Australia's national science agency (CSIRO) made the discovery during a search for larval lobster breeding grounds. The cluster of volcanoes is believed to be around 50 million years old. The researchers say the discovery may hold clues to how Australia separated from New Zealand. The volcanoes were discovered about 250km (155 miles) off the coast of Sydney. "This is the first time these volcanoes have been seen," volcano expert Richard Arculus told AFP. "We know the surface topography of Mars better than we know our backyard because there's no water in the way. I think every time we turn the spotlight on the sea floor we see things that we've never seen before." It is hoped the discovery will help scientists to better understand the Earth's crust, and the composition of the underlying mantle layer. "It's a bit like going through somebody's garbage bin and determining what they've been eating," Richard Arculus said. "They tell us part of the story of how New Zealand and Australia separated around 40 to 80 million years ago." Scientists say the biggest of the four volcanoes rises 700m off the sea floor, with a crater spanning 1.5km across. The BBC says while New Zealand has a few active volcanoes, the last eruption in Australia is thought to have been more than 5,000 years ago. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |