"Thriving Ecosystem: Canada's Active Ancient Underwater Volcano Reveals Abundance of Life"

A scientific expedition off the Pacific coast of Canada has discovered an active underwater volcano teeming with life, including a rare octopus nursery and the first-ever live footage of a Pacific white skate laying eggs. The expedition explored the deep-sea biodiversity hotspots of seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and cold seeps, documenting never-before-seen behaviors and supporting conservation decisions for a proposed marine protected area. The volcano, which was believed to be extinct, is spewing warm water and covered in corals, creating a local food web that supports a diversity of organisms in the otherwise cold, lightless depths. The discovery highlights the incredible biodiversity and importance of protecting these underwater ecosystems.