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scientist recently traveled thousands of feet below the sea ’s control surface to explore subaqueous mountain ranges of cone - shaped dormant and active volcanoes with peaks rising 9,843 foot ( 3,000 meters ) above the seafloor off the glide of Hawaii .
Living along theseseamounts , Conservation International researchers spied enough quirky and unusual marine life to sate a Dr. Seuss Word .
Launch of the Pisces IV submersible to dive on the McCall seamount on 6 December 2024.
Their finding offer a window into some of the most mysterious spots in the ocean : Tens of thousands of seamounts cover across the world ’s oceans , but many have never been explored , and scientists are only just start to discover the complexity ofthe ecosystems they tolerate , one of the expedition scientist told the Conservation International ( CI ) web log Human Nature . [ In Photos : Seamount Dives Reveal Rare Marine Life ]
Deep dives
Using twin submersible name Pisces IV and Pisces V , equipped with multiple cameras , scientists led by CI dove to three seamounts : Cook seamount on Sept. 6 , McCall seamount on Sept. 7 , and Lō’ihi seamount on Sept. 8 . The Cook and McCall seamounts are part of a realm know as the Geologist Seamounts — a pack of ancient volcano estimated to be about 80 million years previous , according to a CI statement e-mail to Live Science .
In the dark , moth-eaten and high - pressure ocean depths , the researchers discover that each seamount had its own distinct and diverse ecosystem , they described Sept. 16 inHuman Nature . From the submersibles , scientists observed uncommon and strange creatures , such as a floppy-“eared"dumbo devilfish , kitefin sharks , bowelless eel and several strange species of coral that could be new to science , including a colourful multifariousness that the researchers dub " purple haze . "
In a videocaptured by the Pisces V submersible on Sept. 6 , a dumbo octopus graciously glide above the seafloor at the Cook seamount , its body color subtly shifting as it swims . One of the observing scientist can be listen in the video recording remarking that the octopus appear to be molting , since folds of what looked like shedding skin were seeable on its body .
A Pacific sleeper shark estimated to measure between 7 and 8 feet ( 2.1 and 2.4 m ) in distance appeared inanother videofilmed by Pisces V at the Lō’ihi seamount on Sept. 8 . As the shark slowly overstep in front of the camera , it prompted delirious exclaiming of " Come see this ! " and " Oh , wow ! " from scientist watching the animal through the photographic camera .
Expeditions like this one will improve scientists ' reason of the role that seamounts play in sea ecology , and could inform future insurance policy decisions affecting seamount conservation , CI functionary assure Live Science in the electronic mail .
Original article onLive Science .
