Coral gardens and volcanic fireplaces: Find out what scientists found in the anti -rtic frosts
Scientists from an expedition to the sea depths of the South Sandwich Islands, near the Antarcticthey are back with A treasure of the images of Marina’s life never sees. When the island chain explores, including the deepest pit of the southern ocean (or Antarctic), they found coral gardens, hydrothermal air intakes and many presumably new species.
The international team itself, aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Falkor research ship, jumped to the titles last month with their first shots all over the world of A Calamar Colosal. And in January, they were in the right place in a timely way to explore the bottom of the sea when a Chicago Size Iceberg He got rid of an ice platform in Antarctica. But there have been many other “magical moments” in 35 -Day Expedition To this part of the ocean of Great biodiversity.
“The 35 days at sea were a Exciting Russian mountains of scientific discoverieswhose implications will be felt for many years as the discoveries that lose management measures “, says Michelle Taylor, the main scientific manager and a researcher of the expedition to the Bosom of the Oceanic Census, the largest world initiative to accelerate the discovery of ocean life. Extraordinary photos They accompany us during the trip.
Where are the islands of Sandwich South?
Located in the southern Atlantic, the South Sandwich Islands They are part of a rich mosaic of geological characteristics. Among these are Tombs of the Hadal area (The deepest region of the ocean), submarine volcanoes and extension centers, characteristics created by the tectonic forces that Have favored the evolution of species that are not found elsewhere on the planet.
The research ship took eight days to reach the islands from the port of Punta Arenas (Chile). On board, the scientists of the Oceanic Census were traveling, who directed the efforts to discover new species and researchers of Gosouth, a collaboration between the British University of Plymouth, the British Antarctic Survey and the German geomar, in charge of investigating the Effects of geological risksLike tsunami, volcanoes and earthquakes.
New hydrothermal sources discovered
Gosouth’s team, led by Dr. Jenny Wales, Co -Co -Scientific Director, discovered Two marks of smallpox In the cartographic data of an underwater boiler, a bowl -shaped depression that is located in the lower part of the sea after The eruption of a volcano.
Since smallpox signs can indicate hydrothermal activity, the team showed the TeleDigido Vehicle (ROV) Auction to mapped them with greater resolution. The robot confirmed the presence of Hydrothermal air intakes -Installing the geothermally heated water and I found three in the mayor’s brand and one in the minor.
700 meters deep, are some of the Hydrothermal fireplaces Less profound that have been discovered near the islands of Sandwich South. The highest fireplace fireplace Measured four metersAlmost as much as a basketball basket.
“Discovering these hydrothermal fireplaces was a magical moment, since they had never seen each other here for here,” says dr. Wales, associate professor of oceanic exploration at the University of Plymouth. “It is an incredible discovery that provides precious data on the tectonic activity of the area. Making such a discovery is rare. Underlines the importance of ocean exploration and cartography of the bottom of the sea. “
Each breath was covered by a Great variety of organisms dependent on chemosynthesis (Food production from inorganic substances without sunlight), such as snails and perclabes. They were also prosperi Coral gardens and large sponges Near the air intakes, an unusual observation, according to Dr. Taylor.
ADVERTISINGCoral gardens and new species far from human sight
In the meantime, the scientists of the ocean census have discovered a series of marine species potentially new, Like coralsSponges, snails, sea urchins, marine stars and bentonic cenophors (of the background of the sea), which have bodies of jelly.
One of the Most impressive photos shipping shows a file Happy Jardín de Coral Located west of the island of Saunders, 120 meters deep. The exact number of new species will be announced at the end of this year, when experts have had time to formally evaluate and catalog the results.
ADVERTISINGAmong these it is possible New species of marine cucumbermarine invertebrates called for its soft and cylindrical body. These creatures play a crucial role in bentonic ecosystems to Recycle nutrientsAnd they are well adapted to the cold Antarctic environment.
During a dive in the southern sandwich pit, one of the coldest and most isolated submarine tombs on the planet, the team also observed Snail fish Deposited on a black coral, unknown behavior until then.
They also captured the first images of Akarotaxis aff. Goulae, a kind of Dragon Fish has only discovered two years ago. And they found large blocks of pumice stone, indicating that the islands of South Sandwich are able to explosive volcanism.
ADVERTISINGMother nature has put all her efforts into the expedition, says Dr. Taylor, including a underwater earthquake, Winds with tropical storm force With hurricane explosions, eight -meter waves and iceberg to navigate.
“The difficult ocean and meteorological conditions, as well as the isolation of the Sandwich South islands, Accompany the imagination of the most daring explorers. Often, the human beings closest to the ship were at the International Space Station, “says Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Oceanic Institute.
