By Victoria Bell For Mailonline
Published: 13:01 BST, 23 May 2019 | Updated: 13:01 BST, 23 May 2019
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Mysterious low-frequency seismic ripples that stretched throughout the world last year may have been caused by the birth of a submarine volcano, scientists claim.
In 2018, unexpected seismic activity was picked up by seismographs 10,000 miles away and tremors were felt on the French island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.
Researchers at France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), wanted to clarify the origin of the small quakes which shook the island, located between Africa and Madagascar.
According to the French Geological and Mining Research Bureau, the team discovered a new 'submarine volcano' situated 31 miles (50 km) away.
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Pictured, the sonar waves, reflecting off the sea floor near the French island of Mayotte, reveal the outline of an 800-meter-tall volcano (red) and a rising gas-rich plume. The French bureau claims that the birth of a submarine volcano has been observed for the first time
The bureau said that the birth of the volcano, located 3,500 metres (2.1 miles) underwater, has been observed for the first time.
Rising from the ocean floor, the peak is estimated to be 2,600 feet high (800 metres) and three or four miles wide.
They also claim that it has a 1.2 mile (2 km) long plume of volcanic fluids emanating from its highest point, or crater.
The small population (500,000) living on Mayotte knew for months that something was happening.
From the middle of last year
