PREVIEW

100 never-before-seen species have been discovered off the coast of Chile. The ‘mind-blowing’ find was made by scientists exploring huge underwater mountains during a mission led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Among the species were deep-sea corals, glass sponges, sea urchins, amphipods, squat lobsters, and other species likely new to science. The expedition explored the Salas y Gómez Ridge; a massive chain of underwater mountains over 2,900 kilometres long. Scientists also searched two of Chile’s marine protected areas, the Juan Fernandez and Nazca-Desventuradas marine parks. Using underwater robots capable of reaching depths of 4,500 metres, experts were able to map 52,777 square kilometres of seafloor. The expedition is ongoing, with deeper depths being explored. Underwater dives can even be watched on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s YouTube channel where scientists will explore areas deeper than 600 metres for the first time.