When researchers explored the deep sea just off the coast of Chile, they likely didn’t expect to make two banner discoveries: a vast expanse of underwater mountains and as many as 100 “new” marine species. But that’s precisely what those on the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel found. Using a state-of-the-art sonar array and a remotely-operated deep-sea robot, scientists from Chile, Australia, Portugal, and the United States mapped over 20,000 square miles of the previously unseen ocean floor, leading to the zoological and geographical breakthroughs of a lifetime.
On Jan. 8, the international team departed from coastal Chile on the SOI’s Falkor (Too), a 110-meter research vessel containing eight laboratories and a vast array of acoustic sensors. Using these sensors, the team spent nearly a month exploring the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges—two underwater mountain ranges covering 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) between Chile and Easter Island—and the Juan Fernández and Nazca-Desventuradas marine parks. To enhance their visibility of the deep sea floor, the researchers also utilized an unnamed underwater robot capable of diving 4,500 meters (14,764 feet).
What they found was jaw-dropping. By mapping 52,777 square kilometers (20,377 square miles) of seafloor, the team found four seamounts, or steep underwater mountains, within Chilean waters. The tallest, nicknamed Solito, rises 3,530 meters (11,581 feet) off the seafloor. They also discovered that each seamount boasts a distinct ecosystem rich with deep-sea coral reefs, sponge gardens, clusters of sea urchins, creepy crustaceans, and a bizarre-looking “sea toad” with hand-like fins. These diverse marine communities are home to at least 100 previously unknown species.
“We far exceeded our hopes on this expedition,” Dr. Javier Sellanes, expedition lead and professor of marine biology at Chile’s Universidad Católica del Norte, said in a SOI 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. These thriving and healthy ecosystems indicate that the Nazca-Desventuradas and Juan Fernández Marine Parks effectively protect delicate marine habitats.”
With the samples gathered during their expedition, the researchers are now gearing up to identify each new species. This could take years; not only do scientists have to confirm that a creature doesn’t belong to an existing species, but they have to use what limited information they have about the creature’s biology, habitat, and more to figure out where it belongs in a larger taxonomy.
The SOI began a similar secondary expedition on Saturday, Feb. 24. Researchers on this expedition will continue to explore the Salas y Gomez Ridge, livestreaming select dives on the organization’s YouTube channel along the way.
