Excitement on the high seas

Scientists on an ocean expedition to the Southeast Pacific this year discovered a new underwater mountain and many new species, including fantastical creatures.

The new underwater mountain, also known as a seamount, is located 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) off Chile’s coast. The seamount rises more than 3 kilometers (nearly 2 miles) from the seafloor and its summit is 994 meters (3,261 feet) below the ocean surface.

A bathymetric map of Solito Seamount off the coast of Chile. The warmer colors (red and orange) correspond to shallower areas, while the cooler colors (yellow, green, and blues) indicate deeper areas. Image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute CC BY-NC-SA.

The seamount discovery came during a 28-day expedition in July and August led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Researchers made detailed 3D maps of the seafloor using the ship’s advanced multibeam sonar system. They then conducted an exploratory dive on one of the mountain ridges using a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). And they collected samples of plants and animals that are still being analyzed.

During the first dive to an unnamed and unexplored seamount, Javier Sellanes (Chief Scientist, Universidad Católica del Norte) views the stunning biodiversity present

During the first dive to an unnamed and unexplored seamount, Javier Sellanes (Chief Scientist, Universidad Católica del Norte) views the stunning biodiversity present. Image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

The seamounts in the expedition zone support deep-sea ecosystems with gardens of ancient corals. Already, scientists estimate they may have found more than 100 species unknown to science, including deep-sea corals, glass sponges, sea urchins, amphipods, and squat lobsters.

Among the exciting finds on the expedition were two rare deep-sea creatures known as flying spaghetti monsters.

A rarely seen Bathyphysa conifera, commonly known as flying spaghetti monster was documented on an unnamed and unexplored seamount along the Nazca Ridge off the coast of Chile. Image courtesy of ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

The team also saw a Casper octopus, marking the first time this species has been seen in the Southern Pacific.

Casper octopus

A Casper octopus. Image courtesy of ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute CC BY-NC-SA.

“We far exceeded our hopes on this expedition,” expedition leader Javier Sellanes of Chile’s Catholic University of the North (UCN), said in a statement. “You always expect to find new species in these remote and poorly explored areas, but the amount we found, especially for some groups like sponges, is mind-blowing.”

A Chaunacops, a genus of bony fish in the sea toad family, seen at a depth of nearly 1,400 m (4,560 ft) on Seamount SF2 inside Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park. Image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute. CC BY-NC-SA.

Megan Strauss adapted this story for Mongabay Kids. It is based on reporting by Liz Kimbrough, published on Mongabay News:

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