Twenty possible new species discovered across ten seamounts, the first ever recording of a rare squid, and thriving deep-sea coral reefs were located

New Seamount and Previously Unknown Species Discovered in High Priority Area for International Marine Protection

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2024-08-29 06:30:05

Twenty possible new species discovered across ten seamounts, the first ever recording of a rare squid, and thriving deep-sea coral reefs were located during an expedition to international waters of the Nazca Ridge. Video and photos are available here.

VALPARAISO, Chile – A team of oceanographers led by Schmidt Ocean Institute have discovered and mapped a new seamount on the Nazca Ridge in international waters, 900 miles off the coast of Chile. The Nazca Ridge, an underwater mountain chain, along with the adjoining Salas y Gómez Ridge, is one of several global locations under consideration for designation as a high seas marine protected area.

The seamount discovery is one of many from a 28-day expedition to the international waters of the Nazca Ridge led by Schmidt Ocean Institute in partnership with Ocean Census and the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center at the University of New Hampshire .

The newly discovered underwater mountain is over 1.9 miles (3109 meters) tall and supports a thriving deep-sea ecosystem. In addition to mapping the seamount, the team conducted an exploratory dive with an underwater robot on one of the mountain’s ridges, finding sponge gardens and ancient corals.