If you think humans have explored most of the ocean, think again.
In reality, we’ve only mapped about five percent of the ocean. That’s right—95% of the deep sea remains a mystery. And when you hear about what scientists recently discovered at the bottom of the Red Sea, you’ll understand why exploring these depths is no easy task.
Scientists recently sent divers and special underwater probes deep into the Red Sea, which lies between Africa and Asia. What they found was shocking—strange, deadly pools hidden at the bottom of the ocean.
Deep below the ocean floor, scientists uncovered something called brine pools, also known as “death pools.” Just hearing the name is enough to send shivers down your spine!
So, what exactly are they?
These pools are not like normal water. They are super salty, completely lacking in oxygen, and deadly to most forms of life. Any fish or sea creature that accidentally swims into them gets instantly paralyzed or killed. It’s like an invisible trap at the bottom of the sea.
And it gets even scarier—predators lurk nearby, waiting for unsuspecting creatures to stumble in. Once their prey is stunned, these predators move in for an easy meal.
While these ‘death pools’ may sound terrifying, they actually help scientists understand the history of life on Earth.
Professor Sam Purkis, a marine expert from the University of Miami, explains that life may have first appeared on Earth in deep-sea environments like these—where there was little to no oxygen.
By studying these pools, scientists can learn more about how life began millions of years ago. It also provides clues about where life might exist on other planets with water.
Another exciting discovery is that because nothing can survive inside these pools, the sediments at the bottom remain untouched. Usually, sea creatures stir up the ocean floor, making it difficult to study the history of the Earth. But in these ‘death pools,’ everything stays perfectly preserved—almost like a time capsule from the distant past.
Even though these deep-sea pools seem like a nightmare, they are helping scientists unlock huge scientific mysteries—from how life began on Earth to the possibility of alien life on other planets.
So, while most of us will never venture to the bottom of the Red Sea, what scientists have found there is changing how we understand life itself.
