Researchers Discover Pristine Coral Reefs in Galápagos Islands
An international group of researchers has made an exciting discovery in the waters off the Galápagos Islands in the Eastern Pacific. Last week, the Schmidt Ocean Institute announced that scientists had found two “pristine” coral reefs during their mapping of the sea floor using laser scanners aboard a remotely operated vehicle.
Located about a quarter of a mile beneath the sea surface, these cold-water reefs are a remarkable sight. The larger of the two stretches for approximately half a mile. What makes these reefs even more special is that they are situated in the Galápagos Marine Reserve, which is one of the world’s largest protected marine areas.
Experts estimate that these reefs are thousands of years old. They serve as a habitat for various marine organisms, including shrimp, brittle stars (a relative of starfish), squid, and other creatures. Unlike shallow, warm-water reefs that rely on sunlight, these deep-water reefs thrive in chilly, dark environments. Temperatures in these reefs range from 39 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
Deep-water reefs are not as extensively studied as their warm-water counterparts, despite playing host to a large number of coral species. Only a quarter of the ocean floor has been accurately mapped, hindering sustainable ocean management and further research. However, the recent mapping mission conducted by the researchers has provided high-resolution maps that can identify living organisms on the sea floor. This valuable information will contribute to future research and the management of the Galápagos Marine Reserve’s waters and its inhabitants.
This discovery follows another significant find made in April, when scientists first identified a deep-sea reef in the Galápagos Marine Reserve. Stuart Banks, a senior marine scientist at the Charles Darwin Foundation, expressed the importance of these findings, stating, “Finding such deep and long-lived reefs takes us important steps closer to protecting hidden dimensions of ocean diversity and understanding the role that deep habitats play in maintaining our ocean’s health.”
The recent expedition was part of a larger effort to gain a better understanding of the deep-water ecosystem in the Galápagos region. With each new discovery, researchers are uncovering the hidden treasures that lie beneath the surface of our oceans, shedding light on the vital role these ecosystems play in preserving our planet’s health and biodiversity.