Tiny volcanic rocks dictate fifty billion dollars in maritime wealth

The Dokdo islets appear as little more than lonely volcanic plugs, yet they are the visible tips of a massive underwater mountain range formed 2.5 million years ago. While 200 species of birds nest on their sheer cliffs, the true value lies beneath the waves. Bathymetric maps reveal a sunken caldera nearly 500 meters deep, hiding veins of precious minerals and gas hydrates worth an estimated 10 billion dollars.