Researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute announced that they had made several discoveries off the coast of Chile at the start of 2024. Among them, more than a hundred new species, but also gigantic underwater mountains. “We always expect to find new species in these remote areas but the quantity we found, especially for certain groups like sponges, is astonishing,” enthuses Dr Javier Sellanes, scientific director of the expedition and professor in marine biology at the Catholic University of the North, in Chile.
Among the new species discovered, deep-water corals, glass sponges and even sea urchins. They were filmed using an underwater robot capable of descending to a depth of 4,500 meters. The Schmidt Institute study focused on seamounts along the Nazca and Salas y Gomez ridges, revealing distinct ecosystems on each mount, including deep-water coral reefs and gardens. of sponges in full swing.
All samples taken will be analyzed to confirm that they are indeed new species. An analysis that can take a long time. The research also mapped 52,777 square kilometers of seabed and discovered four seamounts in Chilean waters. The highest mountain rises to 3,530 meters and was named Solito by the scientific team. The results of this recent study should contribute to the designation of an international high seas marine protected area, highlighting the importance of these diverse ecosystems.