Mass of volcanic rocks found floating off New Zealand

[KynloStephen66515]

In this photo released by New Zealand Defence Force, pumice rocks are shown after being collected.
A mass of small volcanic rocks nearly the size of Belgium was discovered floating off the coast of New Zealand.
(Nicole Munro/New Zealand Defence Force/Associated Press)

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 kilometres northeast of Auckland. The rocks stretch for about 26,000 square kilometres.

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.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2012/08/09/offbeat-floating-lava.html

[4wd]

Um, that's actually air-dried passenger droppings from aircraft....always wondered where it all ended up.

[tomos]

small volcanic rocks nearly the size of Belgium

is Belgium that small


... never knew pumice floated ...

[SeraphimLabs]

small volcanic rocks nearly the size of Belgium

is Belgium that small


... never knew pumice floated ...

It's formed from lava that has a lot of dissolved gases in it. When the lava hardens before the gases can escape, a rather sponge-like rock that typically can float is created.

But it's interesting that they'd find a mass of it floating free. It's usually only found in areas with current or past geologic activity. And those lumps have rounded edges, they may have been in the water a long time.

[Renegade]

That would be a cool site to see -- the ocean covered in rock.

[40hz]

But it's interesting that they'd find a mass of it floating free. It's usually only found in areas with current or past geologic activity. And those lumps have rounded edges, they may have been in the water a long time.

Ph'ngluii mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

R'yleh is rising! The stars again are right! The Old Ones have returned! Hail Cthulhu!

[kunkel321]

Rocks aren't supposed to float--silly silly Earth!

[Renegade]

But it's interesting that they'd find a mass of it floating free. It's usually only found in areas with current or past geologic activity. And those lumps have rounded edges, they may have been in the water a long time.

Ph'ngluii mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

R'yleh is rising! The stars again are right! The Old Ones have returned! Hail Cthulhu!

Yay~! The time is at hand~!

[sword]

The volcanic rock that floats was sold in garden supply stores in Miami years ago. It was used for decoration and it does float about one third out of fresh water but the density does vary. I carved lots of it into Japanese style lanterns for friends.