We all know that the ocean is one of the most mysterious places on Earth, it occupies more than 70% of the Earth's surface, but we know less than 5% about it.
There are all kinds of creatures hidden in the ocean, and all kinds of phenomena are happening, some spectacular, some magical, some weird, some dangerous.
Today, I want to introduce you to some "strange dangers" that occur in the ocean, which are enough to make people fear and make people awe the power and mystery of the sea.
If you're someone who likes to explore the unknown, read on.
mirage
A mirage is an optical phenomenon caused by the refraction of light in air of different densities.
When light passes from the hot air layer through the low temperature air layer, an upward refraction occurs, so that distant objects are reflected in the air, forming a virtual image.
Mirages usually appear near sea level, allowing people to see ships, islands, cities, peaks, etc. on the sea, and sometimes even upside down images, which is very wonderful.
Sometimes it gives people the illusion that they have seen non-existent objects, such as sea monsters, ghost ships, flying saucers, etc., causing people to be frightened or curious.
Mirages are also a common maritime trek phenomenon, and many navigators have been disoriented or even in danger because of mirages.
tsunami
Tsunami is an abnormal fluctuation phenomenon of seawater caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, submarine landslides, meteorite impacts, etc., and is a highly destructive natural disaster.
The wavelength of the tsunami can reach hundreds of kilometers, the wave speed can reach 800 kilometers per hour, and the wave height can reach tens of meters, or even hundreds of meters.
When a tsunami approaches land, it increases the wave height due to the decrease in water depth, forming a huge wall-like water column, impacting everything along the coast, causing huge losses and casualties.
The power of a tsunami is unimaginable, it can flood islands, raze cities to the ground and sweep away human civilization and life.
Historically, there have been many devastating tsunamis, most notably the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed more than 230,000 people, making it the worst tsunami disaster on record.
red tide
Red tide is a phenomenon of discoloration of sea water caused by the proliferation of marine phytoplankton, usually red or brown, hence the name red tide.
The cause of the formation of red tides is due to the excessive nutrient salts in seawater, resulting in the explosive growth of certain phytoplankton, some of which are toxic and can secrete harmful biological toxins, causing harm to marine ecology and human health.
The main hazards of red tides are as follows:
The first is the consumption of oxygen in seawater, causing hypoxia, resulting in the death of a large number of fish and other marine life, affecting fisheries and aquaculture.
The second is to release toxic biological toxins, pollute seawater and seafood, and cause poisoning and even fatality to human consumption.
The third is to affect the transparency and color of seawater, reduce the beauty and ornamental value of the ocean, and affect tourism and marine culture.
Whale fall
A whale fall is a phenomenon in which the bodies of whales or other large sea creatures sink to the bottom of the sea after they die, becoming an important part of the seabed ecosystem.
The process of whale fall can be divided into four stages: one is the settlement stage, where the whale's carcass sinks slowly in the sea water and is attacked and fed by some large carnivores, such as sharks and octopuses.
The second is the skeleton stage, where the whale's carcass is stripped of meat and internal organs, leaving only the skeleton, which is gnawed and cleaned up by some small carnivores, such as crabs, shrimp, fish, etc.
The third is the vulcanization stage, the whale's skeleton begins to decompose, releasing organic matter and hydrogen sulfide and other substances, attracting some organisms that can use these substances, such as bacteria, worms, mussels and so on.
The fourth is the wreck stage, the whale's skeleton is consumed, only some fragments and sediments remain, becoming part of the seabed, providing a place for some benthic organisms to inhabit and reproduce, such as starfish, sea urchins, anemones, etc.
The process of whale fall can last for decades or even centuries, during which it can provide a large amount of energy and material for the seabed ecosystem, forming a unique biodiversity and food chain.
Undersea volcanoes
An undersea volcano is a volcano located on the bottom of the sea, which is an important way to release heat from the earth's interior and an important manifestation of the movement of tectonic plates.
The activity of submarine volcanoes can cause changes in the topography of the seabed, forming submarine mountains, seabed uplifts, seabed rifts, etc.
The eruption of submarine volcanoes can produce a large amount of magma, volcanic ash, volcanic gas, etc., which will affect the marine environment and organisms.
The eruption of submarine volcanoes can also cause changes in the temperature, salinity, pH, etc. of seawater, affecting the chemical balance and biological activities of the ocean.
The eruption of submarine volcanoes can also cause secondary disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, and submarine landslides, posing a threat to coastal areas.
Although dangerous eruptions, submarine volcanoes are also conducive to the evolution of the earth and the diversification of life, which can provide new materials and energy for the oceans and promote the evolution and adaptation of marine life.
It can also provide some valuable resources for human beings, such as minerals, thermal energy, natural gas, etc.
epilogue
Through the above introduction, we can see that the ocean is a world full of wonders and dangers, which is both amazing and terrifying.
The "strange dangers" in the ocean not only test human wisdom and courage, but also inspire human imagination and creation.
We should respect and protect the oceans, but also explore and use them so that they can become the partners and wealth of human civilization.