Scientific explorations are to be conducted to study the 21 active hydrothermal submarine volcanoes spread around the ocean floor of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.
The monument covers the submerged areas within the three northernmost islands of the CNMI - Maug, Asuncion and Uracas.
Donald Palawski, refuge manager of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, told the Marianas Variety, they are gathering information on researchers interested to undertake scientific studies and explorations in the area.
The US Department of the Interior delegated to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the authority to oversee the management of the monument which covers the Marianas Trench - the deepest part of the earth.
The trench is deeper than the height of Mount Everest and five times longer than the Grand Canyon.
