Monnet Update - Underwater volcano eruption ?

Monnet volcanologist ?

The theory might sound astounding but merits looking into : the apocalyptic conditions that Philippe encountered during the night of Monday 24th to Tuesday 25th April 2000 could have been due to an underwater volcano eruption and not a succession of thunderstorms. Last position at 09.40 GMT : 32°15’ S – 41°14’ E.

An area of underwater volcanoes

The night of Monday to Tuesday will for ever remain engraved in the memory of the solitary sailor who experienced an unusual situation and had to bring a fire under control aboard his boat. According to Pierre La snier, meteorologist with MétéoMer, the theory of the thunderstorm is too simplistic : "in the area that Philippe is crossing, there are underwater volcanoes whose summits can reach up to 15 metres below the surface of the water, or about 10 metres below UUNET’s keel. I think that what Philippe went through that night was in fact the consequences of significant underwater seismic activity… We’re checking it out…".

To confirm his statement, Pierre Lasnier puts forward his arguments : "the lightning that Philippe saw did not come from the sky to the water, but came up out of the sea into the atmosphere. Moreover the activity was intense and repetitive and it lasted all night. Finally I saw on the satellite charts the phenomenon observed by Philippe, like I see large forest fires or major volcanic eruptions… I don’t think it can be just a simple thunderstorm".

"The sea in fusion"

As for Philippe Monnet, he repeated that he went through a real moment of anxiety : "it was an end of the world scene that I’ve never ever seen before at sea". Today the ocean has calmed down but the skipper is still seeing extreme phenomena : "the sea is coming from all sides and it’s incomprehensible. Yesterday evening I saw behind the boat in the area where I presumed there were storms, explosions that burst 15,000 metres above the water going right through the clouds… It’s a really nasty spot".

Philippe Monnet in history ?

For Pierre Lasnier, if it really was a volcano, the paternity should go to Philippe : "he crossed a horrifying seascape with lightning falling (or lava ?) less than 300 metres from his boat. If it was a volcano erupting, it should be called ‘Volcano Philippe Monnet’, and I insist…"

While the East-West round the world record is within his reach, Philippe Monnet will perhaps girdle the world having left his name on a shoal in the Indian Ocean. The most astonishing and the most extreme maritime adventure on the planet will be apply named : Dantesque !"

More Information: www.70degresud.com