3.5-Million-Year-Old Megalodon Tooth Found 3,000 Meters Below Surface: A Sharp Relic from the Ocean's Ancient Predator

The megalodon, a massive predator from 4 to 20 million years ago, shed 40,000 teeth throughout its life. Despite teeth being found on beaches, in whale bones, and emerging from once-submerged landscapes, none had been discovered in their original positions until now. This unique find offers a rare glimpse into the ancient world of the megalodon.

Megalodon Tooth Found Fossilized in the Deep Sea

A groundbreaking discovery detailed in the paper, titled "First in situ documentation of a fossil tooth of the megatooth shark Otodus (Megaselachus) megalodon from the deep sea in the Pacific Ocean" published in the scientific journal Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology, researchers reported finding a megalodon tooth in the deep sea.

The group of daring researchers found the Otodus megalodon tooth fossilized and partially embedded in the ocean floor, located 3,000 meters (1.96 miles) beneath the surface in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.

Despite being challenging to identify amidst the rocky surroundings, the tooth was observed protruding vertically from the sand in footage captured by a remotely operated submersible, creating the impression that it had recently settled into place.

Upon closer inspection on land, the ancient tooth exhibited a broken tip and well-preserved serrated edges that retained their sharpness from the days of slicing through fresh meat.

Believed to be a minimum of 3.5 million years old, this tooth was unearthed in a remote region southwest of Hawaii, a few hundred kilometers from the US military outpost, Johnston Atoll, situated on the periphery of an oceanic expanse often referred to as an 'ocean desert.'

Discovered during a deep-sea survey aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, the megalodon tooth rested on a ridge, shielded from erosion by strong ocean currents. Although modest in size at 63-68 millimeters, it's a pivotal find, being the first documented megalodon tooth in its original location, underlining the importance of advanced deep-diving technologies.

Do Megalodon Sharks Still Exist?

Meg mythology suggests the massive predator lurks at the ocean's bottom, fueling books and pseudo-documentaries. The viability of megalodon's deep-sea existence is questionable due to required biological adaptations. Fossilized shark teeth, like the 1835 discovery by Swiss naturalist Louis Agassiz, contributed to early fascination.

Despite global discoveries and an 1875 expedition dredging up 4-inch-long teeth from 14,000 feet, the notion of a surviving Meg in the deep remains speculative, with questionable dating and scientific dismissal.

The reasons behind the megalodon's extinction around 3.5 million years ago remain uncertain. Changes in shallower oceanic zones, such as cooling waters affecting marine mammal abundance and competition from the newly evolved great white shark, are considered potential factors. Despite the lack of definitive evidence, some hold onto the hope of discovering a living megalodon in the deep sea.

While improbable, the mysterious nature of the ocean floor leaves a sliver of possibility, as demonstrated by the unexpected discovery of supposedly extinct species like the coelacanth.

If the megalodon existed in the deep, it would have needed to adapt significantly. Geochemical analysis suggests megalodon was warm-blooded, similar to the great white, which actively generates body heat while cruising in warmer waters. However, surviving in the deep sea would require a fundamental change in metabolism, as the nutrient availability and prey options drastically differ from coastal environments.