According to the Schmidt Ocean Institute, this 28-day expedition mapped a previously uncharted underwater mountain 1.9 miles high, revealing pristine ecosystems with at least 20 potential new species.
Researchers found the previously known species during an exploration of the Nazca Ridge, and they used advanced imaging technology to capture detailed images of the seafloor.
Jyotika Virmani, executive director of Schmidt Ocean Institute, highlighted that only 26% of the seafloor has been mapped with such high resolution, stressing the importance of their expeditions.
The Nazca Ridge ecosystems remain at risk from climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing, and potential deep-sea mining due to their location beyond any national jurisdiction.
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