Ancient Coral Reefs and Enigmatic Creatures Thrive near Galápagos Islands

Two pristine coral reefs have been discovered near the Galápagos Islands, with one reef measuring over 2,600 feet long and both reefs sitting 1,000 feet beneath the ocean surface in the Galápagos Marine Reserve. These reefs are thousands of years old and support a rich diversity of stony coral species, crustaceans, anemones, brittle stars, and urchins. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting deep habitats and understanding their role in maintaining the health of the ocean. The expedition also confirmed the existence of two seamounts and observed deep-sea corals covered with eggs in protected waters off Cocos Island.