Where is the massive freshwater reservoir located?

The reservoir is located beneath the seafloor off the East Coast of the United States, extending from offshore New Jersey to Maine.

How much freshwater does the newly discovered reservoir hold?

Preliminary analyses suggest it could potentially supply a city the size of New York City for 800 years.

When did the East Coast freshwater reservoir form?

Researchers believe the reservoir formed during the last ice age, approximately 20,000 years ago, under frigid glacial conditions.

Home / Science / Vast Subsea Freshwater Reserve Holds 800 Years of NYC Water

Vast Subsea Freshwater Reserve Holds 800 Years of NYC Water

22 Jan

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Summary

A massive freshwater reservoir lies beneath the East Coast seafloor.
It potentially holds enough water to supply New York City for 800 years.
Researchers believe it formed during the last ice age, around 20,000 years ago.

Vast Subsea Freshwater Reserve Holds 800 Years of NYC Water

A significant discovery has been made off the East Coast of the United States, revealing a vast reservoir of "secret" fresh water situated beneath the seafloor. Preliminary analyses suggest this immense water source could potentially sustain a city the size of New York for approximately 800 years.

The reservoir appears to stretch from the waters offshore of New Jersey all the way up to Maine. Researchers hypothesize that its formation dates back to the last ice age, around 20,000 years ago, when thick glaciers covered the region.

An expedition, following up on reports from the late 1960s and early 1970s, collected water samples from beneath the seafloor off Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. These initial findings indicate the reservoir might be even larger than previously estimated.