WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A mass of small volcanic rocks nearly the size of Belgium has been discovered floating off the coast of New Zealand.
The stretch of golf-ball-size pumice rocks was first spotted this week by a New Zealand air force plane about 1,000 20 miles northeast of Auckland. The rocks stretch for about 10,000 square miles.
A navy ship took scientists to the rocks Thursday night. Naval Lt. Tim Oscar says the rocks appeared a brilliant white under a spotlight, like a giant ice shelf.
He says it’s the “weirdest thing” he’s seen in 18 years at sea.
Scientists say the rocks likely spewed up in an eruption by an underwater volcano. They don’t believe the eruption is connected to the onshore ash eruption this week of another volcano, Mount Tongariro.
Officials say the small rocks pose no danger to shipping.
The Defence Force says the mass of rocks stretches 250 nautical miles by 30 nautical miles.
related articles »
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Rescuers say four crew members have died and seven are still missing in the icy waters ...
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Antarctica’s Ross Sea is often described as the most isolated and pristine ocean on Earth, a ...
LOS ANGELES — Once upon a time, the sky above Earth may have held two moons — until they smashed ...
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand’s already-bruised city of Christchurch on Tuesday, collapsing buildings, burying vehicles ...
