Marine Experts Find Deep “Scary” Surprise Off The South Carolina Coast

Author Maney

January 25th 5:31 PM

QUINTANA ROO - SEPTEMBER 27: A scuba diver swims through rays of light coming into a massive underground, underwater cave in the Cenote Taj Maha in Quintana Roo, Mexico on September 27, 2018. Cenotes are massive sinkholes formed when the ceiling of a cave collapses underwater, creating a network of underwater caverns in crystal clear water that divers come from around the world to explore. In ancient times, cenotes served as the Mayan civilizations only source of water and were also held as being sacred to the Mayan People. They believed that the sinkholes represented a passage to the underworld, or "Xibalba in the Mayan language. Archaeologists have found fossils of mammoths, massive jaguars, and sloths in these underground cave systems, as well as human bones indicating ritual sacrifice and human presence in the cenotes as far back as 9,000 years ago. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images for Lumix)

Marine scientists have discovered quite a scary and large surprise right off the South Carolina coast. The world’s largest deep-sea coral reef extends right down to Florida. It ranges in distance from about Charleston to Miami. The somewhat scary surprise is that it’s brimming with new mysterious species. The reef is roughly 158 miles long, in perspective, it’s around the size of Vermont. The reef has been nicknamed “The Million Mounds” since it’s mostly made up of stony coral. Million Mounds Reef has an average temperature of 39 degrees according to NOAA.

The 6.4 million acres-discovery is between 656 feet and 3,280 feet deep. At that depth, there’s zero sunlight. Can you imagine how you would feel in a space THAT dark? No, thank you!! The newly uncovered region has the “most extensive” ecosystem of Desmophyllum pertusum ever found within U.S. waters, the study authors said, with mounds estimated to be thousands of years old.

“Many [deep-sea corals] live for hundreds of years, with some colonies living over 4,000 years,” NOAA says, with the latest discovery revealing nearly 84,000 individual coral mound peak features.

Reportedly instead of the bright coral many of us think of when we think of reefs, this stretch is mostly pure white. Meanwhile, the team speculates there might be even larger deep-sea coral reefs hidden along the routes elsewhere around the globe. Those reefs could give us a glimpse at scary looking creatures never seen before! Welp that’s the last time I dive in the water off South Carolina Coast! Haha. See you never, ever again after reading about this one!

Check out the full story here to really get the inside scoop!

Steve Maney’s radio career has taken him all over the US, from interning with Howard Stern to working with Elvis Duran, this radio veteran now calls Charlotte and Kiss 95.1 home. He is Kiss’ staple entertainment guy writing about his thoughts on local news and funny topics like the name of the male Karen. It’s so much to know, but Maney will deep dive into any topic to get you a great piece to read.

South Carolina Has 2 Of The Most Expensive Beach Towns In The Nation

For a lot of us, it doesn’t get better than spending our summer vacation at the beach. Unfortunately, South Carolina has 2 of the most expensive beach towns in the nation. While there are a lot of coastal cities to choose from, these destinations can be pretty pricey. But it really all depends on where you go. A new report reveals where the most affordable towns with an ocean view are.

Upgraded Points has just come out with their list of the most and least expensive beach towns in the U.S.
Their team compared the average nightly and weekly cost of beachfront hotels and vacation homes in 75 popular beach towns across the country.
Based on the average price of a weeklong stay, the most expensive beach town is Montauk, New York, where a one-week oceanfront stay will set you back $6,454.
The least expensive is Cedar Key, Florida, where the average cost is $1,330 per week.

So which South Carolina towns are among the most expensive in the country? Let’s have a look! Here are the top 10 most expensive beach towns in the country.

10. Solana Beach, California

(Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

Solana Beach, California is north of San Diego. It’s a super safe town, and the beach is long with great water temperatures. The average rental home costs $4,372 a week.
9. Key West, Florida
(Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via Getty Images)

Key West is not only a great beach town, it has plenty of history and attractions. Boat racing takes over the town in the summer. Plus, you can get into the Earnest Hemmingway look-a-like contest that happens each year! Average cost of a week rental? $4,547
8. Laguna Beach, California
(Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Sure Laguna Beach on MTV was a great show. Sure, your rental home may sink into the water. But it is a cool beach town. It will cost you on average $4,564 to get a home for the week. Not bad. Hope insurance is included!
7. Lahaina, Hawaii
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

This Maui town is the home of a big golf tournament. The weather is beautiful year round. The beaches are sheer white. If you want to rent a home it will run you $4,946 for the week.
6. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

What a great local town for us in the Carolina’s to visit. Great golfing, shops, restaurants and of course the beaches. The down side? It will cost you $5,576 to rent a spot there for the week.
5. Folly Beach, South Carolina
(Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

I know this beach town well. I spent many summers in Folly Beach. Love the whole vibe of the island. What I really didn’t know is that my wife is spending nearly $5,943 for us to vacation there. We split the house with friends but holy hell!
4. Malibu, California
(Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Another Cali beach town is on the list. Like Laguna Beach, if you can weather the fires, the land slides and the celebrity bs then Malibu is there for you! Average home cost for a weekly rental? $6,150
3. East Hampton, New York
(Photo by Mat Szwajkos/CP/Getty Images for CP)

Wanna go to Diddy’s “White Party?” Wanna see celeb’s all over the place? Then head to East Hampton, located on Long Island. Bring your wallet though, a weekly rental is $6,178.
2. Southampton, New York
(Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Sir Ivan)

Another over the top Long Island beach town. Even more celebrities show up and hang. There’s a PGA golf event held yearly. Rent a home for the week in Southhampton for an average of $6,391!
1. Montauk, New York
(Photo by Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images for Hamptons Magazine)

Party it up with John Legend. Hang on the beach, or spend thousands at dinner! This town, the most expensive beach town in the nation has an average cost of $6,454 a week!