Ancient Coral Reefs Bursting with Life Unearthed

A recent deep-water expedition by the Schmidt Ocean Institute has discovered two pristine, cold-water coral reefs in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, located over 1,000 feet below the surface. These reefs, which span over 800 meters and 250 meters in length, exhibit a rich diversity of stony coral species and have likely been forming for thousands of years. The discovery contributes to the understanding of deep-sea biodiversity and informs the management of marine protected areas in the region.