An international research team aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) recently undertook a 55-day expedition along the Chilean coastline, uncovering previously unnamed underwater canyons and investigating nearly 20 methane seep ecosystems. This groundbreaking mission revealed a wealth of marine biodiversity, including around 60 potential new species, and highlighted the significance of chemosynthetic environments in sustaining marine life. Among the notable observations was the presence of red cusk-eels (Congrio colorado), a commercially important species in Chile, swimming around tubeworm mounds near methane seeps—an interaction previously undocumented.
Utilizing advanced techniques such as sonar mapping and real-time imagery transmission, the team mapped four submarine canyons, which play vital roles in connecting land and ocean ecosystems. The canyons are home to diverse habitats, including chemosynthetic clam beds, large congregations of Humboldt Squid, and an unidentified glowing anglerfish. The expedition marked a significant collaborative effort by scientists from various countries, emphasizing the importance of exploring and understanding these less-studied marine environments. Research objectives continue to include assessing the ecological role of methane seeps, highlighting the complex interdependence within underwater ecosystems, and reinforcing the need for marine conservation.
