Ocean Scientists Find Marine Life Thriving On Nazi V1 Rockets Dumped Into The Baltic Near Lubeck

[hatrack]

Marine life is thriving on unexploded Nazi bombs sitting at the bottom of a German bay, a submersible has discovered, even capturing footage of starfishes creeping across a huge chunk of TNT. The discovery, which was revealed in a study published Thursday, was "one of those rare but remarkable eureka moments," marine biologist Andrey Vedenin told AFP.

The waters off Germany's coast are estimated to be littered with 1.6 million tons of unexploded munitions left behind from both world wars.

In October last year, a team of German scientists went to a previously uncharted dump site in the Baltic Sea's Luebeck Bay and sent an unmanned submersible 20 meters down to the seafloor.

They were surprised when footage from the sub revealed 10 Nazi-era cruise missiles. Then they were stunned when they saw animals covering the surface of the bombs.

EDIT

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/unexploded-nazi-bombs-sea-life-submersible-baltic-sea/?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=004ce08278-nature-briefing-weekly-20250926&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-33f35e09ea-49867084

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. You made up "rocket". It did NOT have a rocket. It was a pulse-jet.

V1s were actually the first cruise missiles.

The word "rocket" is nowhere in the article. You just stuck it in your title.

[hatrack]

4. Oooh! I am so ashamed of myself! Nothing will do now but seppuku!!

I kneel to your all-powerful corrective genius as I prepare to off myself in the most painful manner imaginable.

[willbrad9080]

2. From Weapons of War to Reefs of Life -- Nature's Unlikely Resilience

Absolutely fascinating. There's something profoundly symbolic about life thriving on relics of destruction. These V1 rockets were once instruments of terror, and now they’re serving as unexpected sanctuaries for marine ecosystems.

It’s a powerful reminder of nature’s adaptability — but also a warning. The fact that 1.6 million tons of unexploded munitions still lie in our oceans is deeply concerning. While it’s inspiring to see starfish and other organisms adapting, we can't ignore the long-term risks these munitions pose — from chemical leakage to accidental detonation.

This discovery is a call for deeper environmental monitoring and, ideally, a global conversation on how to safely manage these forgotten remnants of war. Meanwhile, I can’t help but marvel at how life always finds a way — even in the shadow of humanity’s darkest chapters.

[stopdiggin]

3. nice post. welcome!

we can always use constructive thought (along with comment) - and thinkers. (as opposed to bumper sticker and mantra)