If real life was a science fiction horror movie, this story is definitely how the plot would start.
A mysterious, squidgy ‘golden egg’ has been discovered “in the deep abyssal depths” off the coast of southern Alaska — and scientists have collected it to study.
The freaky find was made two miles down, on the slope of an extinct submarine volcano, back on August 30 during the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Seascape Alaska 5 expedition.
This mission — which is being undertaken by a remote-controlled submersible — is mapping the seafloor and conducting dives at depths of up to 19,685 feet.
These dives are allowing scientists to study deep-sea marine life, analyze the water column and improve our understanding of past and potential geohazards.
Oh, yes — and to pick up eerie eggs with sinister holes in the side. Naturally!
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During a live feed from the dive, with respect to the (chewed? punctured?) hole in the side of the shiny object, one scientist remarked: “Something tried to get in… or get out!”
As they moved in to allow the ROV to interact with the object, another added: “I just hope when we poke it, something doesn’t decide to come out.”
After prodding of the “egg” with one of the submersible’s robotic arms revealed that the object was delicate to the touch, the team used a suction tool to collect it for analysis.
It is hoped that an analysis of the object’s DNA might shine a light on its nature and origin.
The experts do have some ideas as to what the golden item might be — perhaps an egg casing, or the remains of some kind of sponge.
A NOAA researcher said: “What kind of animal would make an egg casing like that?
“When our collective knowledge can’t identify it, it’s something weird.”
The Seascape Alaska 5 expedition is continuing through until September 15. Members of the public can watch a live feed of the dives on the NOAA website.
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