In a breathtaking underwater revelation scientists have discovered thousands of giant glowing eggs laid by the Pacific white skate nestled within the warm embrace of an active submarine volcano off Vancouver Island Canada. Dubbed “mermaid’s purses” for their unique appearance these massive egg cases each stretching up to 20 inches wide were found during a groundbreaking expedition that has the marine science world buzzing.
The volcano, once thought dormant, was found teeming with geothermal activity and life rising nearly 3,600 feet from the seabed and sitting just under a mile beneath the ocean surface. First spotted during a 2019 mission led by marine biologist Cherisse Du Preez this submerged seamount emits heat and minerals, creating an unexpected biological haven in one of the ocean’s harshest zones.
These volcanic waters serve as a natural incubator, providing the precise warmth needed to nurture the eggs of Bathyraja spinosissima, or the Pacific white skate a deep sea dweller that can grow over 6 feet in length and thrives in frigid waters up to 9,500 feet deep. What’s most remarkable is that the skate’s gestation period can last up to four years, making the warmth from the volcano’s summit a vital evolutionary advantage. As Du Preez described it, the summit resembles “a coral garden and a safe nursery for juveniles.”
This astonishing find parallels a 2018 discovery near the Galápagos Islands, where other deep-sea species were seen laying eggs near hydrothermal vents suggesting that volcanic heat may play a far larger role in ocean life cycles than previously believed.
The giant skate eggs are only part of the story. Scientists observed a Pacific white skate actively laying an egg at the Canadian site in 2023, offering a rare glimpse into the mysterious reproductive behavior of this elusive species. New evidence also hints that other marine creatures may be using the volcano as a shared nursery, turning the crater into a biodiversity hotspot.
The research highlights the interconnectedness of geology and biology in the deep sea, showing how extreme environments can give rise to complex ecosystems. With oceanic volcanoes acting as oases in the abyss, these findings challenge long-held assumptions and open the door to new marine research and conservation priorities.
As ocean temperatures rise and ecosystems shift due to climate change, protecting these hidden undersea nurseries becomes even more urgent. The discovery of an active volcano supporting early marine life stages isn’t just scientifically intriguing it’s a call to action for global conservation efforts.
From volcanic heat nurturing ancient species to robotic dogs entering radioactive zones, the future of science lies at the intersection of extremes. This volcano nursery proves that some of Earth’s greatest secrets still lie beneath the waves, waiting to reshape what we know about life, evolution, and survival in the planet’s most unforgiving places.