Deep-Sea Mountains Off The Coast Of Chile Are Teeming With Life

[Judi Lynn]

6. Giant underwater mountain and 100 new species discovered in 'mind-blowing' expedition

Harriet Brewis

A bright red “sea toad” and an underwater mountain four times taller than the world's biggest skyscraper are among the jaw-dropping discoveries made by a team of deep-sea explorers in a single stretch of the ocean.

Between 8 January and 11 February, researchers for the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) explored the seafloor off the coast of Chile and unearthed a scientific treasure trove.

These include more than 100 previously unknown marine species and a handful of never-before-seen seamounts.

Footage recorded by the SOI team offers a window into the extraordinary landscape and its inhabitants, including intricate glass sponges and lobsters with barbed legs.

The expedition, titled "Seamounts of the Southeast Pacific," sent a robot more than 4,500 metres (14,000 feet) beneath the waves to collect data from 10 seamounts in the region.

This will then be used to advance Chile’s marine protection efforts, the SOI said in a statement.

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