Satellite imagery shows that the underwater volcano Kawachi in the Solomon Islands has reactivated on the 14th. However, the most interesting part from the point of view of science is that sharks live around them. The case came to light from footage released by Natgio a few years ago, and now it is gaining attention again.

Due to the highly concentrated population of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp) And silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis), Kawachi was known as “Sharkano”. Since its discovery in 1939, the volcano has experienced approximately 36 eruption periods. But how can sharks survive in such an environment?

In an interview with New York Post, Researcher Cady Bennis – from the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program – stated that this is not as unusual as one might think. Even on the surface, there are people living in cities built around volcanoes. “So it’s quite normal to have sharks and other marine life around underwater volcanoes because it contributes to the habitat,” he said.

However, scientists are still trying to figure out what makes sharks physically fit to live in such hot and acidic conditions. The theory is that these species evolved to adapt to survival in this environment, but to understand this behavior further, it is necessary to analyze them in future research.

Source: Canaltech

Trending No Canaltech: