A scientific expedition has revealed a new seamount and several unknown marine species along the Chilean coast. Led by the Schmidt Oceanographic Institute, in collaboration with Ocean Census and the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, the team of oceanographers spent 28 days exploring the Nazca Range, located approximately 1,448 km off the coast of Chile.
The expedition resulted in several important discoveries, significantly increasing knowledge about the deep-water ecosystems of this region.
The new seamount discovered by the team stands out for its height of more than 3,100 meters. This imposing submerged structure is home to a thriving deep-water ecosystem inhabited by diverse marine species. The team observed ancient corals and sponges, some thousands of years old, indicating that the biodiversity in the area is remarkable and underestimated.
As well as mapping this seamount, the expedition explored nine other unprotected underwater formations in the same region. One of these mountains revealed a deep-water coral garden in perfect condition. This garden, which covers an area of approximately 800 square meters, is home to a variety of species, such as stonefish, brittle stars and king crabs. The extent of this coral garden is comparable to the size of three tennis courts.
The process of exploring the underwater mountains was carried out using an underwater robot, which enabled images to be captured and the submerged ecosystem to be documented in detail. Among the most impressive discoveries were the first images of a live squid of the genus Promachoteuthis, an extremely rare creature previously known only from dead specimens found in fishing nets. In addition, the team observed the octopus nicknamed “Casper” for the first time in the South Pacific, and documented two rare siphonophores of the genus Bathyphysa, popularly called “flying spaghetti monsters” due to their curious, elongated appearance.
The expedition was the third to be carried out in the Salas y Gómez and Nazca mountain ranges in 2024. Tomer Ketter, co-chief scientist and marine technician at the Schmidt Institute, highlighted the value of the discoveries made so far. “At the end of our third expedition to the region, we have explored around 25 seamounts in the Nazca and Salas y Gomez mountain ranges,” he commented. He added: “Our findings highlight the remarkable diversity of these ecosystems and, at the same time, reveal gaps in our knowledge about how they are interconnected. We hope that the data collected will help inform future policies that protect these pristine environments for generations to come.”
The two previous expeditions, carried out in January and February, had already resulted in the identification of more than 150 unknown species and increased understanding of the organisms that inhabit the Nazca Mountains. During the most recent expedition, another 20 potential new species were found, whose records are being sent to Ocean Census, an international initiative led by the Nippon Foundation and Nekton. The aim of Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery and protection of marine species, especially those that inhabit under-explored areas such as seamounts.
Professor Alex David Rogers, scientific director of Ocean Census, also emphasized the importance of the seamounts of the southeast Pacific. According to him, “the seamounts of the southeast Pacific are home to extraordinary biological diversity, with species found nowhere else”. He added: “The work of our taxonomists on board the Falkor (too), with the support of the Schmidt Oceanographic Institute team, will significantly expand our understanding of the distribution of amazing life forms on these seamounts, some of which have never before been mapped or seen by humans.”
The team of hydrographers from the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping played a crucial role in the high-resolution mapping of the seamounts. The data collected during the expedition will be incorporated into the Seabed 2030 project, a global initiative that seeks to map the ocean floor by the end of the decade. The aim is to provide a solid scientific basis for the management and conservation of the Nazca and Salas y Gomez seamounts, which play a vital role in ocean biodiversity.
The discoveries made during this series of expeditions highlight the importance of preserving these fragile ecosystems, which are home to unique forms of life. The information collected not only expands scientific knowledge, but also provides fundamental data for the creation of conservation policies. The hope is that this new information will help protect seamounts and their unique ecosystems for generations to come.
