Thriving Deep-Sea Coral Reefs Discovered Near the Galápagos
An area of biodiversity (including corals, crustaceans, urchins, anemones, and more) on Cacho De Coral, a newly discovered pristine coral reef.
Marine biologists discovered two pristine deep-sea coral reefs off the coast of the Galápagos islands this week, one of which is over eight football fields long. The reefs sit between 370 and 420 meters below the surface, and their discovery expands our understanding of deep, cold-water reefs in the Galápagos Marine Reserve, the first of which were found just six months ago.
“This information is not only valuable from a scientific perspective, but it also provides a solid foundation for decision-making that effectively protects these ecosystems, safeguarding the biological diversity they harbor and ensuring their resilience in a constantly changing environment,” said director of the Galápagos National Park Directorate Danny Rueda Córdova in a statement.
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The research team featured scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute, Galapagos National Park Directorate, Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) among others.
“Finding such deep and long-lived reef takes us important steps closer to protecting hidden dimensions of ocean diversity and understanding the role that deep habitats play in maintaining our ocean’s health,” said CDF’s Stuart Banks in a statement.
The team also explored seamounts, elevated underwater mountains not quite tall enough to be islands, within the Isla del Coco National Marine Park. Researchers observed multiple deep-sea coral species laden with eggs on these mounts.
Click through for images of the newly discovered reefs and the bizarre life that calls them home.
A Strawberry Squid
A strawberry squid documented by the ROV SuBastian.
The Remote Vehicle Mapping the Reefs
The ROV SuBastian is equipped with two mapping sensors, including a Micro Insight Laser Scanner.
Plucking the ROV from Galápagos Waters
ROV SuBastian is recovered in the Galapagos Marine Reserve on Research Vessel Falkor (too).
Laser Mapping on a Coral Reef
Lasers shine on a coral reef.
Thriving coral
Retractable white polyps protrude from branches of Precious coral (Corallium).
The Deepest Dive Reveals Treasures
Brittle stars on in a coral structure were imaged during the deepest dive of the expedition, nearly 1,700 meters down.
Marine Creatures Sitting on Lava Rocks
Corals imaged by ROV SuBastian on the northern side of Isabela Island.
Lasers Shine Through The Deep Sea
Lasers reveal the coral reefs and a mysterious sea creature.
Corals, Sponges, and Anemones Galore
Corals, sponges, anemones, crustaceans, echinoderms, and more
Beautiful From the Surface, Too
Research Vessel Falkor (too) off the Galápagos Islands during the recent expedition that discovered two pristine cold-water coral reefs.
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