Groundbreaking Discovery of 3.5-Million-Year-Old Megalodon Tooth Near Hawaii
A tooth of the gigantic Megalodon has been found in the Pacific Ocean close to Hawaii. While teeth from this ancient creature aren’t particularly rare, this is the first tooth found “in situ”, meaning its discovery is believed to be at the location where it came out of the creature’s mouth.
By Richard Cole · December 27, 2023
A collaborative team of oceanographers from several U.S. institutions, along with a zoologist from the SNSB-Bavarian State Collection of Zoology in Germany, has made a historic in situ discovery of a fossilized megalodon tooth in the deep sea. Published in the journal Historical Biology, their study sheds light on the remarkable find and its implications for understanding the enigmatic ancient shark species.
Megalodons, extinct species of giant mackerel sharks, are believed to have roamed the Earth’s oceans from 3.6 to 23 million years ago, representing some of the largest and most formidable predators in history. Despite their imposing stature, evidence of these ancient creatures remains sparse, primarily manifesting in the form of fossilized teeth, which have been unearthed in various locations, including sandy beaches and embedded in fossilized whale bones.
The groundbreaking discovery of the fossilized megalodon tooth took place off the coast of the Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. While conducting an ocean floor survey using a remotely operated underwater robot (ROV), the research team serendipitously spotted the tooth protruding almost vertically from the sand. Capturing images and video footage of the tooth, they carefully extracted it using their robot for further analysis in the lab.
The tooth, measuring 63 to 68 millimeters in length, was found to be in remarkably pristine condition, particularly retaining its serrated edge. This unique preservation offered unprecedented insights into the ancient shark’s characteristics, providing valuable information for ocean scientists and paleontologists striving to unravel the mysteries surrounding megalodons.
The researchers attribute the tooth’s exceptional preservation to its location on the seafloor, where strong currents prevent the accumulation of sediment, thus safeguarding its original features from erosion. The absence of tumbling and displacement suggests that the tooth remained undisturbed in its initial resting place, offering a rare opportunity for scientists to glean crucial information about the ancient marine environment and the creatures that inhabited it.
The in situ documentation of the megalodon tooth marks a significant milestone in deep-sea exploration, and not only enriches our understanding of megalodons but also underscores the ongoing quest to unlock the mysteries of prehistoric life forms that continue to captivate and inspire scientific inquiry across the globe.