A Bizarre Ocean Discovery That Had Scientists Thinking They Were In The Wizard Of Oz

The crew of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, who have found countless rare species and strange sights in their adventures, found something that looked like it could have been transported from Oz. While studying the seafloor off the coast of Hawaii in an area called Lili'uokalani Ridge in the Papahānaumokuakea Marine National Monument (via CNET), their camera picked up footage (which can be seen here) of a cobblestone-like path, reminiscent of the yellow brick road Dorothy and her friends walked in "The Wizard of Oz" (via Mental Floss).

Researchers have not only made this comparison after viewing the footage, but they have also called the formation "the road to Atlantis." While these fantastical theories would be a dream if true, scientists say the formation was caused by volcanic rock, called hyaloclastite rock, which can only be formed when the debris from strong eruptions settles on the seafloor. The similarity to cobblestone results from the rapid heating and cooling of the stone. 

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