Scientists exploring the ocean floor beneath the Gulf of Mexico ran across a strange sight: an underwater pool so inhospitable they’ve nicknamed it “the Jacuzzi of Despair.” This underwater brine pool registers temperatures twice that of the surrounding water and is filled with toxic levels of salt — nearly five times higher than normal seawater!
Discovered in 2014, the pool measures about 100 feet across and 12 feet deep. Scientists returned to the pool in 2016, with the intention of using ROVs to create a high-resolution map. The interior of this deadly underwater brine pool is littered with the remains of crabs and other creatures who took a fatal dip into this poisonous soup.
Take a look at this eerie video that offers supposition as to how the pool formed and how some of the local marine life is taking advantage of its presence.
A deadly spa day?
The “Jacuzzi of Despair” may sound like a relaxing (slightly ominous) spa. However, trust us, this is not a place you want to book for a weekend getaway. The extreme salinity and warmth of this brine pool create conditions so hostile that most marine creatures are instantly out of their depth – quite literally.
But what makes this underwater cauldron so deadly? Scientists believe the pool formed from massive salt deposits beneath the Gulf of Mexico, which dissolved over time, creating this dense briny soup. And while most sea creatures avoid the area like it’s the bad part of town, a few hardy microbes have found a way to thrive. In fact, some of these bacteria may hold the key to understanding how life might survive in extreme conditions — on Earth and possibly even on other planets!
It’s a window into Earth’s secrets!
This underwater brine pool is actually a reminder of how much we still don’t know about the hidden corners of our planet.
And while we may never want to take a dip in the brine ourselves, the pool leaves us with something to appreciate. In the most unlikely places, nature finds a way to thrive, adapt, and evolve.
