A remarkable deep-sea expedition off the coast of Chile has unveiled an astonishing array of scientific discoveries, including over 100 potential new marine species and several colossal underwater mountains. Conducted aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s (SOI) research vessel Falkor, the expedition named “Seamounts of the Southeast Pacific” extensively explored the seafloor in various regions, uncovering hidden wonders in the depths.
Spanning from the Nazca and Salas y Gómez ridges to the Juan Fernández and Nazca-Desventuradas marine parks, the expedition meticulously mapped approximately 20,400 square miles of ocean. Among the remarkable findings were four previously undiscovered solitary seamounts, with the largest one, dubbed Solito, towering at an impressive 11,581 feet above the seafloor, dwarfing even the world’s tallest building.
Using advanced underwater robotics, researchers delved into the submerged slopes of ten seamounts, unveiling a plethora of species potentially new to science. These discoveries included intricate corals, exotic sponges, enigmatic sea urchins, and peculiar crustaceans, captured vividly in striking photographs and video footage.
Javier Sellanes, a lead scientist on the expedition, expressed astonishment at the abundance of new species, particularly noting the extraordinary diversity of sponges. The research team collected samples of these newfound creatures for further analysis to confirm their status as new species.
This expedition builds upon previous efforts by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, which has conducted several seamount mapping expeditions in the southeast Pacific in recent years. These endeavors aim to shed light on the rich biodiversity harbored within these towering underwater mountains, which serve as vital “biological hotspots” crucial for advancing our understanding of life on Earth.
