At https://www.livescience.com/animals/mind-boggling-deep-sea-expedition-uncovers-100-new-species-and-a-gigantic-underwater-mountain … down in the deep sea off the coast of Chile, over a hundred previously unknown marine creatures have been found, along with a hand full of sea mounts. One of them is 2 miles high. The Nazca and Solas y Gomez ridges are two chains of over 200 sea mounts stretching 1800 miles – from Chile to Easter Island.
At https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/this-is-weird-experts-shocked-by-record-breaking-longevity-of-death-valleys-phantom-lake … and in spite of the headline it has a completely logical geological and meteorological explanation. On the edge of Death Valley, one of the hottest and driest spots in Northern America, a temporary lake formed in the Death Valley National Park. The water has persisted for six months – which we are told is baffling ‘experts’ [whoever they are]. The lake periodically comes and goes – in a basin 86 m below sea level. It is the lowest point in North America – so not just the driest. It is normally dry and dusty as one might expect, as part of Death Valley. Covered in crystalised salt, for good measure. Occasionally, puddles of water seep up from a submerged spring – but these are toxic. However, after heavy rainfall water from the surrounding area flows into the basin and creates a shallow freshwater lake. Normally, the water evaporates quickly. In 2023 Hurricane Hilary, on its last legs, reached Death Valley – unleashing a lot of rain. Then, somewhat later, in February of 2024, a so called atmospheric river dumped lots more rain, refilling the lake level. It seems El Nino has been at work – or all that water pumped into the upper atmosphere by the submarine volcano, Hunga Tonga Ha’apai, back in 2022.