A 35-day deep-sea expedition to the South Sandwich Islands revealed thriving polar ecosystems and vibrant coral gardens. The international team of scientists, aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor (too), also spotted a juvenile colossal squid. They uncovered signs of explosive undersea volcanism.
The mission, part of the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census program, identified diverse organisms likely new to science. These include corals, sponges, snails, sea urchins, benthic ctenophores, and sea stars. A definitive count of new species will follow a formal taxonomic review.
The GoSouth team discovered two pockmarks in an underwater caldera, suggesting hydrothermal activity. Using Schmidt Ocean Institute's remotely operated vehicle SuBastian, the team confirmed active venting. This exploration revealed hydrothermal vents teeming with chemosynthesis-reliant life, including sea snails and barnacles.
The expedition documented snailfish eggs on black coral, and what may be a new species of sea cucumber. They also found large pumice blocks, indicators of explosive volcanic activity. A vibrant coral garden was located west of Saunders Island. The team captured the first footage of Akarotaxis aff. gouldae, a dragonfish species identified two years ago.