In Santiago, Chile, deep-sea explorers have made a remarkable discovery beneath the waves off the country’s coast that could revolutionize our understanding of ocean life. During their exploration, researchers found over 100 potentially new species, ranging from ancient corals to ghostly white sponges, in an awe-inspiring display of biodiversity.
The expedition, led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, unveiled a world previously unknown to science at 10 seamounts in the southeast Pacific. These incredible ecosystems, supported by geologically active hydrothermal vents, showcase the importance of ocean protections implemented by the Chilean government in preserving marine biodiversity.
According to Hannah Nolan, a specialist with the institute, each seamount revealed a unique and diverse ecosystem, highlighting the richness of life thriving in the deep ocean depths. Utilizing an underwater robot capable of descending over 14,000 feet, the research team collected specimens to analyze, with hopes of confirming the existence of new species through genetic and structural studies.
Javier Sellanes, a scientist at Universidad Católica del Norte and the leader of the research, described the expedition as a significant success, as they discovered around 40 different species, a vast increase from the two previously known species in the area. This unprecedented find includes lobsters with striking features, sea stars, sea lilies, and a myriad of other intriguing marine creatures awaiting further study.
The team’s exploration of marine parks, like Juan Fernández and Nazca-Desventuradas, as well as the high seas beyond national waters, serves as a call to action for ocean advocates worldwide. Efforts to establish new marine protected areas, such as those discussed under a United Nations treaty, aim to safeguard these underwater treasures from exploitation and protect Earth’s remaining biodiversity from extinction.
As nations strive to protect 30 percent of the planet’s oceans by the decade’s end, the discovery of these new species off the Chilean coast underscores the urgent need for international collaboration in preserving our oceans’ delicate ecosystems. In a world where the depths of the ocean still hold countless secrets, each new discovery brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of the deep blue.