It is said that we know more about space than we do about the oceans on our own planet. Nevertheless, it has never stopped people from theorizing what lies beneath. So, let's take a look at some of the most mysterious places in the oceans around the world.
Cenotes in the Yucatán peninsula
Central and South American legend and mythology have long since been a mainstay of pop culture, inspiring a wide range of different media. Take online casinos, for example - Paddy's Slingo selection features a range of games that riff off the motifs, themes, and ideas of Incan, Maya, and South American history, including Slingo Inca Trail, Red Hot Slingo, and Slingo Money Train. However, one of the best-kept secrets of Mesoamerican mythology is the cenotes around the Chicxulub crater.
An asteroid is believed to have created the Chicxulub crater over 66 million years ago. The limestone around the crater collapsed to create thousands of sinkholes. These sinkholes now form just one part of the world's longest underwater cave system. The Maya believed that the cenotes were the entrance to the afterlife - many considered the area to be a sacred site. Today, many of the cenotes are still untouched by man, making them even more mysterious.
Whillans Ice Stream, Antarctic
The Ross Ice Shelf in the Antarctic is probably as close to replicating the environment of space as we will get. In fact, it is thought to have similar conditions to one of Jupiter's moons - namely, Europa. With this in mind, when scientists drilled into the ice to take a look underneath and test the functionality of a new underwater gadget, they expected it to be pretty barren.
As reported by the Smithsonian Magazine, this group of scientists actually found new species of fish and sea anemones that had previously never been discovered before. One of the fish even swam 'upside down'! We are still unsure why these creatures are able to survive in such harsh conditions - and, the implications of this could provide insights into the possibility of extra-terrestrial life.
Cape Bojador, off the coast of Western Sahara
Before the early 1400s, the water surrounding Cape Bojador was the subject of a well-known myth amongst travellers. In the years prior, as more explorers set out to discover more of the world, it is said that many European ships went missing in the area, and had even succumbed to the violent waves. Due to this, the area was thought to be home to multiple sea monsters - a myth that was very prominent in Portugal.
In 1433, explorer Gil Eanes from here in the Algarve became the next person to attempt to navigate around Cape Bojador. Although on his first attempt, he failed, he made it back to Portugal, only to be ordered to try again by Infante Dom Henrique, o Navegador (Prince Henry the Navigator). On the second attempt, in 1434, the Algarve mariner became the first explorer to overcome the threat of sea monsters and sail past Cape Bojador.
And there you have it - just a few places within the oceans around the world that are packed with mystery and mysticism.
