Exploring the Newly Found Deep-Sea Coral Reefs near Galápagos Islands

Two previously unknown deep-sea coral reefs, along with uncharted sea mounts, have been discovered off the Galápagos Islands during an expedition by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The larger reef spans 800 meters in length, while the smaller one measures 250 meters. These reefs, believed to be thousands of years old, host a diverse range of stony coral species and are located between 370 and 420 meters below the surface. The high-resolution mapping technology used during the expedition also revealed detailed images of the seafloor and confirmed the existence of two seamounts. The discovery contributes to the understanding of deep-sea habitats and aids in the conservation efforts of the Galápagos Marine Reserve.