--- title: "Alarmed Scientists Discover “Terrifying” Rocks Made of Plastic Trash on Remote Island" description: "Scientists are reeling from the discovery of \"plastic rocks\" on a remote island off the coast of a volcanic Brazilian island." date: "2023-03-16" modified: "2023-03-16" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-rocks-plastic-trash-island" categories: - "Environment" - "Pollution" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "anthropocene" - "ocean pollution" - "pollution" - "the digest" --- # Alarmed Scientists Discover “Terrifying” Rocks Made of Plastic Trash on Remote Island ![Scientists are reeling from the discovery of "plastic rocks" on a remote island off the coast of a volcanic Brazilian island.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## Very Bad Scientists are reeling from the discovery of "plastic rocks" on a remote volcanic island off of the Brazilian coast *—* a troubling sign, [experts told *Reuters*](), of just how deeply [plastic pollution]() has embedded itself into Earth's geological patterns. The rocks, dubbed "plastiglomerates" — a molten mixture of sediment and debris, held together by melted plastic — have been discovered at a particularly troubling place. "This is new and terrifying at the same time, because pollution has reached geology," Fernanda Avelar Santos, a geologist from the Federal University of Parana, explained to *Reuters.* "The place where we found these samples is a permanently preserved area in Brazil, near the place green turtles lay their eggs." The island in question, Trindade Island, is a [vital conservation area]() for endangered green turtles, which use the remote ocean as a nesting ground. With the exception of scientists, the only humans allowed on the island are Brazillian Navy officials, who patrol the area in an effort to protect the turtles. In other words: in case we needed yet another reminder, plastic is absolutely everywhere, from the [depths of the Mariana Trench]() to [inside toddlers]() — and Trinidade Island is no exception. ## The Culprit Scientists traced the plastic in the mysterious rocks back to fishing nets, one of the most notorious — [and devastating]() — ocean pollutants. According to Santos, net trash is common on the remote island's beaches. "The \[nets\] are dragged by the marine currents and accumulate on the beach," the geologist told *Reuters*, adding that "when the temperature rises, this plastic melts and becomes embedded with the beach's natural material." ## Anthropocene Now It's a concerning discovery and one that certainly signals that the Anthropocene — an era in Earth's history defined by human development's impact on Earth's atmosphere, climate, and other geological functions — is well underway. "We talk so much about the Anthropocene, and this is it," Santos told *Reuters.* "The pollution, the garbage in the sea and the plastic dumped incorrectly in the oceans is becoming geological material," she added, "preserved in the earth's geological records." **READ MORE:** [*Brazilian researchers find 'terrifying' plastic rocks on remote island*]() \[*Reuters*\] **More on ocean pollution:** [*The Ocean's Plastic Pollution Has Spiked to "Unprecedented" Levels*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()