Scientists have found the world’s longest underwater avalanche
(ORDO NEWS) — Marine researchers have found an underwater avalanche that is the longest in the world. The discovery was made by accident when special marine sensors broke off from their platform and began to drift in the open sea.
From January 14 to 16, 2020, eleven sensors broke off their platforms and began to drift in the Atlantic Ocean, collecting data. Scientists used several ships to intercept the sensors, and as a result they were able to obtain valuable data.
The information obtained made it possible to detect an underwater avalanche that formed on March 14, 2020 and traveled 1.1 km from the mouth of the Congo River to the deep water area. At the moment, the avalanche is at a depth of 4.5 km.
Two factors contributed to the formation of the world’s longest underwater avalanche – floods on the Congo River and a series of especially powerful spring tides.
The avalanche, as it turned out, not only became a record in length, but also damaged some communication cables laid along the seabed.
Because of this, problems were recorded with telecommunications networks in South, Central and West Africa.
Scientists hope that the study of an underwater avalanche will make it possible to more effectively predict such events.
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